The internet’s story begins in 1969, when a UCLA computer first connected with a Stanford system through ARPANET. And the rest, as they say, is history. What started as a small experiment has now advanced to unimaginable heights. Today, someone in one corner of the world can video chat with a friend on a remote island. That’s the magic of the internet.
It has truly turned our planet into a global village, where everyone is just a click away. With the pace of innovation, only time will reveal what exciting possibilities lie ahead. But before we race into the future, let’s hit rewind and explore how the internet came to be.
Let’s go.
In this article
History of the Internet Timeline
You know the saying, “necessity is the mother of invention”? That couldn’t be truer when it comes to the birth of the internet. The need first arose during the Cold War. The U.S. Department of Defense feared that communication could collapse in the event of a nuclear attack. They wanted a network that could keep working, even if parts of it were destroyed.
So, in 1966, ARPA (the Advanced Research Projects Agency) began developing a bold idea. They started working on a system that could ensure communication for the Defense Department, even under catastrophic conditions. One invention led to another, and before long, that single idea grew into something far bigger than anyone had imagined.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the internet timeline since 1969.
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below. 
1969ARPANET is launched
The idea of the internet originated from a scientist at ARPA, J.C.R.Licklider. However, it was another genius, Donald Davis, who brought it to life in 1965. He created a method to send information from one computer to another. Its standout feature was that the information could not be intercepted or destroyed by the enemies. Finally, on October 29, 1969, a UCLA computer sent the first message through ARPANET to a Stanford computer.
1971The First Email
The very first message sent through ARPANET was supposed to be ‘LOGIN.’ However, the system crashed only after two letters, sending just ‘LO.’ So while it was somewhat a success, it was a far cry from an email as we know it. So, a programmer at ARPANET decided to build on the initial idea and suggested adding the “@” between the recipient’s name and the destination computer.
That’s how internet networks began communicating with users through email. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that the potential of email technology was explored.
1983TCP/IP replaces NCP
Computers initially used the Network Control Protocol (NCP) to communicate with each other. But the system couldn’t connect to different networks. So, programmers developed a new system called the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), or Internet Protocol (IP), to accommodate more computers simultaneously.
1985DNS comes into play
IP addresses were originally long strings of numbers. As more computers joined the network, keeping track of these complex addresses became difficult. That’s when the Domain Name System (DNS) was introduced. DNS was like the phonebook of the internet. It converted computer-friendly IP addresses to user-friendly website names.
1985AOL introduces customer internet
Until 1985, the internet was only available to the U.S government. AOL became the first service provider to bring it to home users’ doorsteps through a dial-up system. This method used regular telephone lines to connect consumers to a broader network.
1988IRC enters the chat
IRC became the first remote chat room. The idea was proposed by a Finnish computer scientist. Through this chat room, people could send instant messages to users around the world.
1989The World Wide Web is launched
The World Wide Web was first introduced at CERN. Scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research needed a system through which they could interact with other computers in the facility. They needed a dependable network to share links and documents. That’s when one of his scientists came up with the idea of HTTP and HTML. Later on, the same concept became the first building block for the World Wide Web.
1990Archie becomes the first search engine
A Montreal-based inventor developed the first search engine named Archie. It used an index of files on FTP sites, and users could search for specific file names and keywords.
1991The WWW inventor creates the first webpage
The first web page was created by Tim Berners Lee, the same scientist who created the World Wide Web. The web page he developed was quite simple compared to the elaborate ones we see today. The page explained how users could create web pages themselves.
1993The Government approves policies for internet growth
The technology behind the internet was advancing rapidly, and the U.S. government recognized its vast potential. To support its growth and governance, they decided to invest in it. During President Bill Clinton’s term, the National Information Infrastructure Bill was passed. It was the first major national step toward advancing internet technology.
1994First e-commerce transaction is carried out
Did you know that the first product ever bought through an online transaction was a Sting album CD? A guy named Phil Brandenberger shopped it online from a retailer for $12.48 plus $4.96 shipping. It became the first safe online transaction completed using SSL
1996Six Degrees becomes the first social media platform
Andrew Weinreich introduced the first social media platform by the name, ‘Six Degrees.’ It allowed users to create personal profiles, add friends, search for other users, and message people within the network. Six Degrees was the blueprint for social media as we know it today. However, the platform shut down five years later due to limited internet adoption and scaling challenges.
1997Wi-Fi is invented
Up until this time, the internet was dependent on telephone cables. A group of engineers at the NCR Corporation, along with AT&T, developed a new concept of wireless connectivity, called Wi-Fi. This new technology allowed users to communicate wirelessly over a local area network.
1998Google takes over the internet
Google was the brainchild of Larry Page and Sergey Brin. The duo started a research project called Backrub. Unlike other search engines, which ranked results based on the number of times a word appeared on a page. Backrub analyzed links between websites to determine their relevance and importance. This link-based system drove Google’s algorithm.
After two years of research, they launched BackRub with a new name, ‘Google.’ And the search engine became an instant hit, surpassing competitors like Yahoo and Altavista in just a few years.
2001Wikipedia is launched
The first online encyclopedia was launched by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. They named it Wikipedia. It became a massive online database where users could not only access information but also add and edit content. To maintain credibility, every piece of information had to be supported by reliable sources.
2003MySpace takes the lead in social networking
MySpace was one of the earliest giants of social media, launched in 2003 by Tom Anderson and Chris DeWolfe. What made it an instant hit was the freedom it gave users to customize their profiles with photos, music, and flashy backgrounds. Unlike other platforms, MySpace even allowed users to edit the HTML and CSS of their pages.
Another standout feature was its music scene. Many budding musicians, like Lily Allen and the Arctic Monkeys, used the platform to showcase their talent. MySpace became a global music hub.
2007Mobile web becomes available
When the iPhone launched in 2007, it transformed internet access forever. What was once limited to desktop computers was now available in the palm of your hand. With the rise of mobile web applications, users suddenly had virtually endless possibilities at their fingertips.
2009Bitcoin becomes the first internet currency
A group of programmers under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto introduced the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. And the first block was mined in 2009.
How to Draw a Similar Timeline using EdrawMax?
Keeping track of historical events becomes much easier with timelines. But creating them from scratch can be challenging. That’s where a solid diagramming tool like EdrawMax comes in. It has everything you need to build custom timelines with minimal hassle. It offers pre-built templates and plenty of customization options.
Whether you use a template or design one from scratch, EdrawMax, a helpful timeline creator, makes the process simple and fun. Simply download EdrawMax or launch the app in your browser to get started.
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Step1Start With a Blank Canvas
- Open EdrawMax on your desktop.
- Log in or sign up if you do not have an existing account.
- Click New on the left panel and select Blank Drawing to open a new canvas.
Step2Insert Background Image
- Locate Insert on the top toolbar and select Picture from the options.
- Choose Local pictures and upload an image to use as the timeline’s background.
- If you want to adjust the image’s brightness, contrast, or transparency, click on the inserted image to reveal the customization panel. Select Adjust to tweak the background image.
Step3Add a Heading to the Timeline
- You can add a heading to the timeline using either a text box or an inserted image. Let’s insert an image for this one.
- Follow the same steps outlined above: Insert > Picture > Local Pictures to insert the heading.
- You can even add a symbol to complement the heading.
Step4Insert Timeline
- Click Insert on the top toolbar to reveal more options.
- Select Timeline and scroll down to Vertical Timeline.
- Choose the 4th timeline option that includes images and click OK.
Step5Add Text to the Timeline
- Locate and click Text on the left editing panel.
- Select Click to Add Subtitle and insert the first date of the internet timeline.
- Next, select Click to Add Body and enter a key highlight of that date.
- Continue adding the remaining dates and events to the timeline.
Step6Insert Thumbnail Images
- Thumbnails add a professional look to your timelines. So, follow Insert > Picture > Local pictures and add thumbnails to each year.
- If you want to change the image’s outline, click on the thumbnail to reveal the customization panel. Select Crop to Shape and choose an outline that suits you.
- Follow the same steps to add the rest of the thumbnails.
Step7Export File
- When you’re happy with the timeline, click Export on the top panel to view your saving options.
- EdrawMax offers multiple saving options, including JPG, PDF, Word, Visio, GIF, etc.
- Select Graphics if you want to save the file in JPG format.
The Takeaway
What started as a defense project is now the backbone of our modern life. The internet's influence is vast, shaping the way we connect, work, and grow. And if the past is any indication, the future of the internet will be even more extraordinary. The best part? We’re all part of this exciting story.
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