Internet Curiosities - Podcast #Error418

How did the Internet emerge?

Internet, a vast digital universe that has transformed the way we live, communicate and share information. But have you ever wondered how the Internet began? In this exploration, I’ll take you through the origins and pivotal moments that shaped the web as we know it today.

What happened in 1969?

Our journey takes us to 1969, when the ARPANET team attempted to send the first message online. The anecdote is surprising, since the first message was truncated after only sending the letter “L” due to an error. They had to reboot the machine and after about an hour the message finally completed. What would have happened if the message had been sent in full? This was a bumpy start to a technological revolution, thanks to the US Department of Defense’s ARPANET project in the 1960s.

Who Was the Creator of the First Website?

Fast forward to 1991 and we meet Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the first website in history. This simple website, hosted on a server, explained the concept of the World Wide Web. Although it is not available today, this website ushered in an era that would revolutionize the way we browse the web.

Where Does the ”@” Symbol in Emails Come From?

The ”@” symbol in our email addresses has an interesting origin. It was chosen by Ray Tomlinson simply because it was the only unused symbol on the keyboard. This seemingly insignificant detail changed the way we communicate, allowing the user to be separated from the domain and giving rise to the construction of emails as we know them today.

When Was the First Domain Name Registered on the Internet?

In 1985, the first domain name on the Internet was registered: “symbolics.com”. This event marked the beginning of the era of domains and competition for attractive names. These days, finding an available “.com” domain with a keyword is quite a challenge, and if you do find it, it’s likely to come with a high price.

What Was the First Photograph on the Internet?

Our journey takes us to 1992, when the first photograph was shared on the Internet. The image in question showed a group of CERN researchers posing in front of a laboratory. This seemingly simple image opened the door to a world of visual possibilities on the Internet, where images have become a fundamental element.

Thus concludes our journey through the origins of the Internet, a journey marked by small mistakes and seemingly insignificant decisions that shaped historical moments. These curious facts may not seem revolutionary, but they were the foundations of what we know today as the Internet. I hope you have enjoyed this journey through the time and details that helped shape the web as we know it. Until the next adventure in the digital world!