Internet

The term Internet is used to describe the interconnected servers, computers, and networks that work through a standard protocol and provide the structure for information to be accessed on "The Web." In popular culture, the terms "Internet" and "Web" are sometimes used interchangeably to refer to the publicly-accessible websites and servers that can be reached using a Web browser. The Internet gives its users global broadcasting abilities, access to and the ability to add to world knowledge, as well as make it possible for collaboration regardless of location.

History

Early Ideas

The earliest vision of the Internet is most often attributed to J.C.R. Licklider, a psychologist and computer scientist at MIT. Beginning in 1962, Licklider outlined his "Galactic Network" idea, an expansive network of computers which would offer its users access to data and programs from a series of sites. After becoming the first head of DARPA's computer research program in October 1962, Licklider successfully convinced colleagues of the merit of his vision.

It wasn't until Leonard Kleinrock pursued the feasibility of packet switching over circuits, that the idea gained traction in a concrete manner. Kleinrock, along with a few other colleagues conducted a small experiment including two computers used at different points, one in Massachusetts and one in California. Using a low-speed dial-up line, the scientists developed a connection, thus creating the first computer network ever built.