"History of the Internet" Video

The video we watched in class, “The History of the Internet,” took us through the history of the Internet, beginning with its birth. Where did it come from? What made this possible? The video explained it all. I was shocked at how “inventors” responded to questions & explained how the Internet began in such a casual "no big deal" kind of way. Pretty humorous that people initially saw no purpose for it.

What really stuck out to me was that the “Web” is basically a circuit of interconnecting communication lines, which provide pathways for messages travel along to reach its destination. Email (transferring files) was the first “killer application.” Each message was chopped up & separated into tiny packets that each had their own address. This process has come a long way in terms of the time it takes for the message to arrive at its ultimate destination.

It’s a very interesting idea that no one actually CONTROLS the Internet. All throughout history, the video explained that the Internet has reported on events in an uncensored way. Really, it still is one of the most uncensored media out there still today. I sincerely hope that never changes.

I also thought it was crazy that the primary “need” for Internet as a communication device stemmed from a fear during the Cold War that if a bomb struck our country and the Soviets attacked us with nuclear warfare, telephone lines would be destroyed. There would be no way to communicate. Now look at what we use the Internet for! Very interesting.

This is all really interesting & exciting to learn about…but what is REALLY the inspiring idea I took away from this video was that the Internet began with ONE IDEA. Seriously, one idea turned into such an extraordinary invention that the majority of the population today relies upon (and takes for granted the complexities of.) The “Father of the Internet” even explained on the video that everyone thought it was a dumb idea at first and saw no use for it. Now look at it. This just proves that one idea (big or tiny) can revolutionize the entire world. The invention of the Internet was a home run to say the least.