A Brief History of the Internet (Updated for 2025)

The Internet is a vast and ever-growing network of computers that connects people worldwide via the Internet Protocol Suite. This digital network revolutionized the way humans communicate, do business and access information. But how did it all start?

How the Internet Has Evolved

The first computers emerged in the early 1800s. In 1820, French inventor Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar introduced the Arithmometer — the first commercially produced calculator. This device could carry out addition, subtraction, multiplication and even handle division with some manual input.

Drawing inspiration from Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz’s earlier designs, the Arithmometer became widely used and remained in production for about 90 years. Unlike today’s pocket-sized calculators, it was large enough to take up an entire desk. 

However, it was not until the mid-1900s that computer networks became more popular. By this time, advances in electronics had shifted computing from mechanical devices to faster, more reliable machines that used vacuum tubes and later transistors. Scientists and engineers began exploring ways to connect these computers to share data and improve communication efficiency. 

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite. This event sparked a “space race” between the USSR and the United States. The drive to surpass one another in scientific and military capability accelerated research in computing, communication and automation. As part of this competition, both countries developed rockets and missiles guided by computer systems.

In 1962, Dr. J.C.R. Licklider wrote a memo entitled “Intergalactic Networking,” proposing a global network of computers capable of sharing data and resources. At this point, the first concept of an “internet” gained traction. Licklider went on to work for the U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He oversaw the development of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), the first computer network.

ARPANET was a “packet-switching” network, which means it could send small pieces of data called “packets” through a network of computers. This was a major breakthrough at the time, as most computer networks could only send data in one direction at a time. ARPANET went online in 1969 with four host computers at the Stanford Research Institute, the University of California Los Angeles, the University of California Santa Barbara and the University of Utah.

The 1970s and 1980s

Internet history progressed in the 1970s when Ray Tomlinson sent the first email message using the “@” symbol, indicating where the message should be sent. Today, this is the standard way of sending email messages. In 1975, one of the first usable email programs with the ability to send, reply to and forward emails was created by John Vittal.

The 1970s also saw the development of Usenet, a network of bulletin board systems that allowed users to post messages and share files — comparable to today’s Internet forums. By 1981, more than 400 Usenet systems were in operation worldwide.

In 1983, ARPANET switched from using the Network Control Protocol (NCP) to the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). This new protocol would become the foundation for all Internet traffic today, leading to the official birth of the Internet. Additionally, in 1983, the Domain Name System (DNS) was introduced, which gave each computer on the Internet a unique name or domain.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Internet became more accessible to the general public. In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee created the first web browser — the World Wide Web — and the first web server. He also wrote the code for HyperText Markup Language (HTML), which is used to create web pages. In 1991, the first website was created at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Entering the New Millennium

The 1990s saw a rapid expansion of the Internet as more and more everyday people got online. In 1995, there were at least an estimated 12 million American users. By 2000, this number had grown to over 50% of all Americans — and millions more were accessing the web worldwide. With the inception of blogging and social media in the early 2000s, the Internet has only exploded over the past 20 years.

However, this era of connectivity also introduced new challenges. As social platforms became central to communication, they created opportunities for misinformation, scams and online exploitation to spread rapidly. In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that over 95,000 Americans fell victim to social media scams, underscoring the real-world consequences of unregulated digital spaces. 

These issues have sparked ongoing debates about how to balance freedom of expression with user protection, and whether certain forms of ethical online moderation or limited censorship are necessary to keep people safe in an increasingly connected world.

Today, there are 6.04 billion active Internet users worldwide. The Internet has become a vital part of modern life, influencing everything from communication and education to commerce and entertainment. It is now difficult to envision a world functioning without its constant connectivity.

What Does the Future of the Internet Look Like?

The Internet is constantly evolving and changing, making it challenging to know what’s next. However, by examining Internet history and identifying some trends, it’s possible to anticipate how it may develop in the coming years.

One trend is the continued growth of mobile Internet usage. In the United States, smartphone and cellphone adoption has reached an all-time high, with 307 million users recorded in 2022. Today, 85% of American adults rely on their smartphones to communicate, stay connected and access information. 

Mobile browsing has also become a dominant force online, accounting for about 47% of all web traffic in the country. As smartphones become increasingly accessible worldwide, particularly in developing regions, mobile Internet usage is expected to continue growing in the years to come.

Another trend is the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT refers to devices, such as cars, appliances and home security systems, that are connected to the Internet and can share data. While smart home gadgets remain the most familiar example, IoT technologies are increasingly used across industries, from healthcare and agriculture to transportation and manufacturing. 

According to the World Economic Forum’s State of the Connected World 2023 Edition, the number of connected devices continues to surge globally, creating both opportunities and challenges in data management and cybersecurity.

In parallel, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is becoming increasingly central to enhancing online experiences. AI now powers personalized content recommendations, improves search accuracy, strengthens cybersecurity and streamlines large-scale data processing. 

The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence’s AI Index 2025 reports that approximately 78% of organizations have implemented AI in at least one business function — up from 55% the previous year — demonstrating the technology’s rapid adoption. As these innovations continue to advance, AI and IoT are expected to work hand in hand to build smarter, safer and more responsive digital environments worldwide.

This Is Just the Beginning

The history of the Internet is fascinating, and it’s sure to continue evolving in interesting ways in the years to come. Between concepts like the metaverse and cryptocurrency, the Internet has already evolved far beyond its origins decades ago. What could be next?

Original Publish Date 10/5/2022 — Updated 10/27/2025