The internet is a vast network that has revolutionized technology in both the communications and commerce sectors for individuals and businesses alike. It enables various computer networks and mobile phones around the world to interconnect, providing access to anyone with the necessary tools. It is estimated that approximately 4.5 billion people, which is more than half of the Earth’s population, use the internet for various purposes. These include interacting with others through social networks and chat rooms, communicating via email, following news updates from specialized news sites, and as a fertile ground for a growing number of businesses engaged in advertising and marketing. For individuals, it helps create a virtual reality where they can work and interact. Given its many services, the internet has become a crucial and indispensable part of human life today.

Origins and Development of the Internet

Early Networks

Early computer networks were designed for specific purposes, such as civilian applications like airline reservation systems or military applications in command and control. These networks were developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, when computer manufacturers began enabling multiple users to connect to a single computer, allowing resource sharing. This led to the concept of the host computer, where one computer appeared dedicated to each user’s tasks even though many others were accessing the system simultaneously. This idea was first achieved by the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) on October 29, 1969, with the creation of ARPANET, the first network connecting different computers. ARPANET linked computers in government-supported research locations like universities in the United States and was restricted to researchers and academics. It quickly became an essential part of the computer science research infrastructure, leading to the development of tools and applications such as the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) for sending short messages and the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) for larger file transfers. ARPANET later adopted packet-switching technology, which allowed sending larger messages by dividing them into smaller packets, managing and transmitting them across any available circuit, and then reassembling them at the destination.

DARPA, formerly ARPA, supported communication initiatives to create a network capable of transferring large data files between government-sponsored academic research labs through terrestrial and satellite packet-switched networks. Terrestrial packet-switching networks provided access to multiple computers within the U.S., while satellite networks connected the U.S. with many European countries and remote areas. The introduction of radio packet technology made it possible to connect mobile communication tools to computer networks. However, portable sharing systems at that time were impractical and expensive due to factors like weather conditions. Therefore, there was a strong motivation to integrate radio packet technology into ARPANET and develop it to allow mobile phone users to access these networks.

Establishing the Internet

The internet emerged from efforts to link different research networks in the U.S. and Europe. DARPA established a program to investigate connecting heterogeneous networks, using standardized interfaces called “gateways” for some networks. For others, a new protocol had to be designed and developed to connect them. In 1974, Vinton Cerf from Stanford University and Bob Kahn from DARPA co-authored a paper describing the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and its system architecture. TCP allowed different types of computers across networks worldwide to route and assemble data packets. The U.S. Department of Defense adopted this protocol in 1980, which included the Internet Protocol (IP), a global addressing mechanism allowing routers to deliver data packets to their final destination. By the early 1980s, TCP/IP became the standard for federally supported research networks, with the National Science Foundation (NSF) funding the first five supercomputing centers at universities. NSFNET, funded by the NSF, acted as the backbone connecting these centers and other regional non-profit networks. By the late 1980s, commercial networks began emerging, leading to the creation of the Commercial Internet Exchange (CIX) to allow traffic between commercial networks not permitted on NSFNET. In 1995, the NSF decided that support for NSFNET’s infrastructure was no longer needed as many commercial providers were capable of meeting research community needs, and they withdrew support in favor of commercial providers.

Since the internet’s inception in the early 1970s, control gradually shifted from government institutions to the private sector but under governmental oversight. Today, groups of thousands of individuals, known as the Internet Engineering Task Force, participate in developing its standards through the non-profit Internet Society. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) also oversees various aspects of internet policy related to domain names and numbers.

Commercial Expansion

The rise of commercial internet services and applications accelerated the network’s spread due to increased sales of personal computers after prices dropped. In 1988, an experiment to link commercial email services to the internet was approved, marking the first connection of a commercial provider to the internet. Later, other email service providers were granted access. In 1993, the University of Illinois widely released the Mosaic browser, a new type of software that allowed users to access and browse data on the internet, displaying files from the World Wide Web (WWW). Mosaic included access protocols and display standards developed by Tim Berners-Lee for a new internet application called the World Wide Web. In 1994, Netscape Communications (formerly Mosaic Communications) was founded to develop the Mosaic browser and server software for commercial use. Shortly after, Microsoft developed its own web browser, Internet Explorer, contributing to the rapid growth of the internet, which had been expanding at a rate of 100% annually since 1988.

By the late 1990s, there were about 10,000 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) worldwide, more than half of them in the U.S. Many small and medium-sized providers began merging or being acquired by larger ISPs like America Online (AOL), which transitioned from a non-internet information service to a leading global internet service provider by the late 1990s. By 2000, AOL had over 25 million subscribers and branches in Australia, Europe, South America, and Asia. Popular websites like AOL and Yahoo! began charging for advertising due to the increasing number of visitors, and by the late 1990s, ad revenues became a primary focus for many websites.

21st Century and Future Trends

With global internet use, Web 2.0 emerged, focusing on social networks and user-generated content. Social media services like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram became some of the most popular websites, allowing users to share content with friends and the world. With the introduction of smartphones, internet users worldwide increased from about one-sixth of the population in 2005 to over half by 2020.

While the precise structure of the internet’s future is uncertain, growth indicators are clear, including high-speed access reaching up to 100 gigabits per second. If computer hardware and software development continue, users may access networks at even faster speeds, enabling high-definition video streaming.

The Internet and Society

The internet became a crucial medium by the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It took 46 years for the U.S. to connect 30% of households to electricity, whereas the internet reached the same level of connectivity within just 7 years. By 2005, 68% of American adults and 90% of teenagers had used the internet. Europe and Asia were similarly connected, with nearly half of EU citizens online, and higher rates in Scandinavian countries. In Asia, internet connectivity varied significantly, with at least half of the populations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan online by 2005, while India, Pakistan, and Vietnam had less than 10%. South Korea led globally in providing high-speed internet services.

Real-Time Communication

The internet opened new possibilities for individuals, leading to a significant reduction in traditional mail use and increased use of instant messaging (IM), especially among youth. With mobile internet access, IM became prevalent in classrooms, with students often exchanging notes via phones. Statistics show over 50 million American adults use IM, with 11 million using it for work.

The internet has also become a rapid mobilization tool for protests and demonstrations. Although such events were organized naturally before the internet, the speed with which email campaigns can mobilize people was evident in the 1999 protests against WTO meetings in Seattle. Organizers successfully gathered over 50,000 participants from around the world, effectively influencing WTO agendas.

People use the internet for humanitarian purposes as well, such as donating to charities, reuniting families, or matching lost pets with their owners. The internet’s role in disaster response is still debated, particularly in areas where infrastructure is heavily damaged. However, during the September 11, 2001, attacks, U.S. citizens found it easier to communicate with loved ones in New York via email rather than through overwhelmed phone networks. Similarly, after the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, electronic media played a vital role in connecting survivors with their families and coordinating relief efforts.

Social Networks

Social networking sites emerged as a significant phenomenon in the early 21st century. They use various applications to facilitate online communities where members share files, photos, videos, music, and engage in messaging and discussions. Early social networks included Classmates.com, connecting former schoolmates, and Yahoo! 360, building connections through friends of friends. In the Web 2.0 era, leading social networks included MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Advertising and E-Commerce

The internet helps consumers find what they want while providing advertisers with opportunities to reach them. For instance, most search engines earn revenue by matching ads with specific search queries. One of the challenges in internet development is balancing advertising needs with users’ rights to avoid intrusive ads such as pop-ups or spam.

The internet also offers significant opportunities for e-commerce. Unlike physical stores, online retailers can offer a wide range of products, allowing users to compare prices and purchase items from home.

Information Exchange

Education

The internet has revolutionized education, making it possible for students to access information and resources from anywhere. Educational websites and platforms offer online courses and virtual classrooms, enabling learning opportunities for people regardless of their geographic location.

Health

The internet has transformed healthcare by providing information on medical conditions, treatment options, and connecting patients with healthcare professionals. Telemedicine allows for remote consultations and diagnostics, improving access to healthcare services, especially in remote areas.

Entertainment

The internet has changed the entertainment industry, offering streaming services for movies, music, and games. Platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube have become major sources of entertainment, providing on-demand content to users.

Future Prospects

The future of the internet involves advancements in technology, such as the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), which connects everyday objects to the internet. Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are also expected to impact how we interact with the internet. The continued growth of the internet promises new opportunities and challenges, shaping the way we live, work, and connect with others.