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ARPANET is a small network of computers organized to share scientific data between educational and military institutions. "ARPANET" refers to "Advanced Research Projects Agency Network". -
The first email was sent in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson across the ARPANET network. -
Early net pioneers adapted a version of the game Maze War for use on ARPANET in 1974, awarding it the title of first online game. -
The first spam email is sent on May 3rd, 1978, over ARPANET. Gary Thuerk was the marketing manager at Digital Equipment Company and sent the first spam email ever — a message trying to sell computers. -
On June 15, 1987, Steve Wichita invents the first GIF of a picture of a plane and calls it 87a. The GIF allowed people to create compressed animations using timed delays. -
Computer scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee explains a blueprint for the internet; he creates technologies that form the foundation of the internet we use today. -
Archie, the world's first internet search engine, was created by Alan Emtage in 1990. Archie makes it much easier to identify specific files on the rapidly expanding world wide web. Also in 1990, the world's first website goes live. -
CERN changes its web source code to public domain, free for anyone to access. Now anyone who wants to learn can create a server or website. -
The goal was to enable web access to everyone. -
SixDegrees.com introduces user profiles, friend groups, and other features that will become standard among other social media outlets in the future.
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Smartphones took the functionality of PDAs to the next level with cellular internet connectivity where people could purchase a handheld device that acts as a computer. -
Ethan Zuckerman created a feature of the freshly released JavaScript web language that allows online advertisers to create pop-up ads. He later apologizes for creating such a nuisance for Internet users:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaymcgregor/2014/08/15/the-man-who-invented-pop-up-ads-says-im-sorry/?sh=47ef74b04ebe -
Netflix is a subscription-based American streaming platform that would allow users to watch a variety of television and movies without advertisements, whenever they wish. The company was founded in 1997 in California. Netflix became increasingly popular and dominated the streaming platform industry. -
Google was founded on September 4, 1998, in California. It would go on to become the most popular search engine and one of the most successful companies worldwide. -
A group of tech companies forms the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance. -
Broadband use surpasses dial-up internet usage in 2005 for the first time in history. -
Apple revolutionizes the way phone users access the internet when they introduce the first iPhone; the success of the iPhone would skyrocket over the next two decades. First official iPhone advertisement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bvfs4ai5XU -
NASA successfully tests the internet in space via DTN software. -
The Arab Spring shows the world that social media sites like Facebook can be used to organize digital movements efficiently. -
The first Instagram post was made by Kevin Systrom, former CEO of Instagram, in 2010. The post was on his personal account and the photograph contained a picture of his dog.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C/?hl=en -
The internet becomes fast enough, computers smart enough, and data large enough to make digital learning practical. -
For the first time, the majority of American adults own a smartphone. Smartphone ownership is the largest among young adults. -
After Apple's SIRI is embedded in smartphones and used widely, virtual assistants become more popular as smart speakers like the Google Home and Amazon Echo come on the market. -
Due to the pandemic causing schools to shut down and students to resume learning online, schools relied on programs such as Zoom to stream classes live and stay connected.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-education-global-covid19-online-digital-learning/