History of the World Wide Web and Internet

The World Wide Web (WWW)

• Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist at CERN, invented the World Wide Web (WWW) in 1989.
• His initial proposal was written in March 1989, formalized in November 1990 with Robert Cailliau.
• The first web server and browser were operational at CERN by the end of 1990.
• The first website went live on August 6, 1991 at http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html.
• WWW software was released to CERN colleagues in March 1991 and publicly announced in August 1991.
• The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) released versions for PCs and Macintoshes in 1993, significantly impacting the web's growth.
• The web is a network of interconnected web pages accessed via link addresses. It uses hypertext or hypermedia links to connect information.

The Internet

• The internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks.
• It comprises physical cables (copper wires, fiber optics) and wireless connections (Wi-Fi, 3G/4G).
• Joseph Carl Robnett Licklider first conceived of a global computer network in 1962.
• The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), pioneering packet-switching, was a key development.
• PhoneNet (1982), connecting ARPANET and Telenet, expanded internet access.
• The Domain Name System (DNS), developed by Paul Mockapetris, Jon Postel, and Craig Partridge, managed the growing number of internet users. Symbolics.com was the first registered domain in 1984.
• ARPANET was decommissioned in the 1990s.
• Tim Berners-Lee and colleagues developed HTML and URLs, creating the first version of the WWW.

Web vs. Internet

• The web is an application built on the internet infrastructure.
• The internet connects computer networks; the web is a system of information accessible via the internet.
• Not all internet activities require the web (e.g., email uses SMTP).

The Impact of the Web and Internet

• The web significantly increased accessibility to information and communication.
• Communication: Email and social media enabled faster communication but also introduced risks of impulsive and careless messaging.
• Information: Online access to information is extensive, but easily spreads misinformation ("fake news"). Fact-checking is essential.
• Entertainment: Web and internet dramatically changed entertainment, offering digital alternatives to traditional media. However, overconsumption can lead to negative effects, such as decreased real-life interaction.
• Education: The web and internet became crucial during COVID-19 lockdowns, facilitating online learning. However, over-reliance on online learning can cause decreased engagement.
• The web and the internet profoundly altered communication, information access, entertainment, and education, shaping the modern digital age.

The Web (WWW)

• Invented by Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist at CERN, in 1989.
• First proposal written in March 1989, formalized in November 1990 with Robert Cailliau.
• First web server and browser operational at CERN by the end of 1990.
• First website went live on August 6, 1991, at http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html.
• WWW software became available to CERN colleagues in March 1991, publicly announced in August 1991.
• National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) released PC and Macintosh versions in 1993, significantly increasing web adoption.
• The web is a network of interconnected web pages accessed via hyperlinks. It is an application built on the internet.

The Internet

• A vast global network connecting millions of computers.
• Uses physical cables (copper, fiber optic) and wireless connections (Wi-Fi, 3G/4G).
• Conceptualized by J.C.R. Licklider in 1962.
• Pioneered by work on packet-switching, leading to ARPANET.
• ARPANET, the precursor to the internet, was decommissioned in the 1990s.
• Domain Name System (DNS) developed by Paul Mockapetris, Jon Postel, and Craig Partridge to manage increasing users.
• Symbolics.com registered in 1984 as the first domain name.
• The internet is the infrastructure underlying the web and other applications.

Web vs. Internet

• The internet provides the infrastructure, the web is an application built on top of it.
• Not all internet services rely on the web (e.g., email using SMTP).

Impact of the Web and Internet

• Communication: Enabled near-instant communication via email and social media; however, it also introduced risks of impulsive and careless communication.
• Information: Provided vast access to information resources, but also increased the spread of misinformation and "fake news."
• Entertainment: Revolutionized entertainment with online gaming, streaming services, and digital media; but also can lead to unhealthy habits and reduced human interaction.
• Education: Played a crucial role in facilitating online education during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it also led to increased reliance on online learning and decreased enthusiasm for in-person learning.

Key Dates

• 1962: J.C.R. Licklider conceptualizes a global computer network.
• 1989: Tim Berners-Lee invents the World Wide Web.
• 1991: First website launched; WWW software released to CERN colleagues; public announcement of the WWW.
• 1993: NCSA releases WWW software for PCs and Macs.
• 1995: Microsoft launches Windows 95; online businesses like Amazon, Yahoo!, and eBay emerge; Java is created.
• 1995-2000: Dot-com bubble.
• 2000s: Rise of Google, Wi-Fi, and smartphones.