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.
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"
Bluetooth
Herald "Bluetooth" image sourced thoughtco.com |
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.
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. Image: Shuttershock
Web Citations
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zp9jpv4/revision/
https://isaaccomputerscience.org/topics/the_internet?examBoard=all&stage=all
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/World_Wide_Web
https://www.britannica.com/topic/World-Wide-Web
https://www.ou.edu/research/electron/internet/www.htm
https://www.verizon.com/info/definitions/wifi/
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/what-is-wifi.html
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/26198/bluetooth
https://www.bluetooth.com/about-us/bluetooth-origin
https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-bluetooth-2377412
Hedy
Lamarr: The Incredible Mind Behind Secure WiFi, GPS And Bluetooth – Hedy Lamarr
(24) Hedy Lamarr: Mother of
Wifi - YouTube
File:Lamarrpatent.jpg -
Engineering and Technology History Wiki (ethw.org)
The
History of WiFi: 1971 to Today - CableFree
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