A Twitter thread by Misha

5 billion people use the internet. Less than 1% understand it. This mega thread will get you up to speed—starting today:

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1/47 The internet begins in the 1960s as a US government response to the Cold War. Military leaders are concerned about potential attacks on US communication systems. And the govt funds the development of a network of computers that can talk to one another—the Arpanet. https://t.co/tqm3s7W7K1

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2/47 ARPANET On October 29, 1969, ARPAnet delivers its first message. The first computer is located in a research lab at UCLA, the second is at Stanford. By the end of 1969, four computers are connected to the ARPAnet. https://t.co/YalwybHqys

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3/47 The network grows steadily throughout the 1970s. https://t.co/TO8go3ppxE

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4/47 EMAIL In 1971, computer programmer Ray Tomlinson implements the first email program on the ARPANET system. He uses the @ sign to separate the username from the name of their machine. This scheme has been used in email addresses ever since. https://t.co/8ZvO0Xyhxc

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5/47 The beginning of TCP/IP In 1974, a proposal is made to link Arpa-like networks together into an “inter-network.” It would have no central control and would work around a transmission control protocol. This eventually becomes TCP/IP. https://t.co/9nUwBcrYj7

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6/47 What is TCP/IP? Transmission Control Protocol-Internet Protocol A protocol which will work on any sort of computer and operating system for transportation of data across the internet between different systems. It is the foundation protocol of the entire internet. https://t.co/QZOqozBDzm

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7/47 MUD - multi-user dungeon games In 1979, MUD, a precursor to World of Warcraft and Second Life is developed. MUDs are entirely text-based virtual worlds, combining elements of role-playing games, interactive, fiction, and online chat. https://t.co/8TVR5KGnmg

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8/47 Domain Name System (DNS) In 1984, the domain name system is created. It is the internet’s equivalent of a phone book and converts hard-to-remember IP addresses into simple names. https://t.co/5nxV6w2Mmo

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9/47 The Internet Grows By 1987, there are nearly 30,000 hosts on the Internet. The original Arpanet protocol is limited to 1,000 hosts. But the adoption of the TCP/IP standard makes larger numbers of hosts possible.

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A Twitter thread by Misha

Part 1