Internet: Digital world that Changed Us

September 05, 2022

Internet: Digital world that Changed Us

What is Internet?

What is the internet? What is WWW or “World Wide Web”? You would think both of the terms mean the same thing…. well it doesn’t! They both integrate and work in tangent to be able to process all websites and programs we use today.

The Internet

Basically, the internet is a base hub, which is a global web of networks which any computers can (with permissions) to get information from other computers. Created by the Advanced Research Projects agency in the US government in 1969, it was first known as ARPANET. Originally used to create a network that allows users of a research computer to communicate other research computers at other universities. Today the Internet is now used publicly, it is more self-sustaining that is accessible to millions worldwide.

WWW (World Wide Web)

The World Wide Web or WWW as we know is the interconnected system of public domains or web pages that are accessible through the internet. Think of the Internet as the base and all other programs like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and other applications are built on top of it. Tim Berners-Lee created the constructs of what we know as WWW. He created his first server, web browser, and web page on his own computer at CERN physics research laboratory in 1990. The link to his first ever website can still be found and used today.

The World Wide Web project (cern.ch) In 1991 he announced the hypertext newsgroup which was the first web page made to the public. The “web” consists of these following:

HTTP- Governs data transfer between server and client
. URL – Uniform Resource Locator helps access the web component.
HTML – Hypertext Markup Language which is the common way to publish web documents

Screenshot Recreation page of the first website (CERN)

Later on, Tim founded the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) which consists of core internet groups like web browser developers, government entities, researchers and so on. As time progressed many developers and other research companies started to create web pages and browsers for the public to access content over the internet.

Browsers like Google, Firefox and Edge give users the ability to surf the web endlessly if the browser includes the HTML with “www” in the search bar. Even if the user does not use the www the browser will be able to locate the web page or search similar pages related to the one the user is looking for.

Wi-Fi

Yin-Yang Wi-Fi Icon Cablefree.net

Wi-Fi or the true name Wireless Fidelity is a that was created by a marketing firm to showcase a more user-friendly name for people to catch quickly to. Wi-Fi is a wireless networking tech that allows smartphones, computers, and other equipment to connect to the internet within a short range. A router is normally used with a certain bandwidth that acts as a connector for multiple devices to use the internet wirelessly. Wi-Fi technically is called IEEE 802.11 which basically describes the protocols used to be able to connect multiple smart devices to the wireless links along with wireless routers and access points.

Hedy Lamarr the “Mother of Wi-Fi”, She was a Hollywood star turned inventor who was a woman way ahead of her time. Her frequency technology changed the world and is still being used today.

Hedy Lamarr "Secret Communication System"

Many who know and remember her pay tribute to her successful inventions as if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be able to communicate the way we do with each other from all over the net.

A music tribute was sung by Johhny Depp and Jeff Beck titled "This is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr"

Hedy Lamarr and George Anthiel

Bluetooth

The one thing we all have in common between all technology is Bluetooth. Bluetooth? Why do we call it Bluetooth? The name is quite the odd one as the devices we use are not all blue. Is it the color wires used in the wireless device? Or is it a solution used in the makings of creating certain technologies? Not at all, it actually dates far back before most of us were even born.

Herald "Bluetooth" image sourced thoughtco.com

King Herald was a ruler from Denmark from 958 – 986c. uniting Denmark and Norway. He introduced Christianity to Denmark condensed his rule over most of Jutland and Zealand. After his death, his teeth had a bluish grey hue on his tooth which earned him the nickname Bluetooth. Many also believe he earned the name from eating so many blueberries that stained his teeth. A lot of the major technology companies like Nokia, Ericsson, and Toshiba worked together to create a common node for wireless transmission between computers and cellphones.

Sven Matisson and Jim Kardach worked on the project together but the end product they developed was not well received by the public. Later they talked about Vikings as Jim has a high interest in the stories. Harald Blåtann came to mind and discussed how he was a great communicator to his people and through perseverance he united Norway and Denmark together. A man who united two parts of a nation, two men wanted to united PCs and the mobile industry through wireless connections as if meant to work in unison.

By 1998 the new “Bluetooth” technology was launched May,1998 and the first consumer ready device a year later. Bluetooth was intended to be a beta name as the creators were going to find a new serious name like Radioware or Personal Area Networking or PAN. Funny enough the trademark search did not make it in time for the launch, so Bluetooth just stayed.

Interestingly the symbol for such devices holds actual runes for Harold. Younger Futhark runes (Hagall) ᚼ and (Bjarkan) ᛒ which is the late king’s initials.

Image: Shuttershock

It is amazing that our digital world is so very complex with many different strings tying it together. From the net being the base with all the applications of browsers, search engines, and coding that make up the websites we use today. Tim Berners- Lee created the first webpage up to famous actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr who created the foundations of Wireless frequencies. All of these talented people helped shape how we can express ourselves and meet so many others from around the world with just a few clicks of a button. It took years of trials and error to get where Internet technology it is today as we continue to improve and keep paving roads to a more creative future.