Internet/ World Wide Web/ Wifi/ Bluetooth

Internet / World Wide Web

The internet is a connection of networks that is joined together through devices around the world. It was created, developed and improved during the course of many years and continues to be worked on to this day. The Cold War era introduced the usage of satellites and forming connections through space. In 1957 the launch of the Sputnik satellite by the USSR prompted The United States as well as other countries to consider their options of increasing the power of digital connections.

Although several inventors and scientists contributed to the concept of the internet with technologies leading up to it, Robert W. Taylor has been credited with developing an early prototype of the internet called ARPANET. Originally it was used to connect computers in universities and labs but now it has evolved into being utilized everywhere! From advertising and social media to military operations and scientific research.

The World Wide Web is an extension of the internet. It is the links and web pages that are built into the internet. In the mid 1980s, It was created by a British computer scientist by the name of Sir Tim Berners-Lee. He realized that there should be a way to connect to other scientists, so he worked with hypertext and network technology to accomplish that. As mentioned previously, it was originally used as an easier way to exchange files. Now it is also used for research, shopping, advertisement, entertainment, and more! This blog is on the World Wide Web ;3c

The internet and The World Wide Web are related to one another yet not interchangeable. The internet is a network made up of protocols such as IP and TCP. It is made to connect computers and encompasses file sharing, email, gaming, etc. While the web is how you access information from the internet. It relies on web specific protocols and HTTP. The Web is made up of web applications and websites.

The first website was created in 1991 by the creator of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee.The website explains what the “web” is as well as instructions on how to use it. Here is the link: http://info.cern.ch

Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr was an actress and inventor in the 1930s-40s. She invented the frequency hopping technique which would later contribute to the invention of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Her idea was patented and donated to the military in contribution to help in WW2. She was recognized for her brilliant mind and honored the title of Electrical Frontier Foundation with a Pioneer Award. As well as having a song dedicated to her by Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp called “The misunderstood bombshell” (https://youtu.be/maa1xTKu7aQ?si=AvE527TwMEHbQ01v).

Bluetooth was developed by a team of engineers led by Dr. Jaap Haartsen in the mid 1990s. The name “Bluetooth” is inspired by the Danish King Herald Gormsson. He was responsible for uniting Denmark as well as serving an identifiable appearance of having really rotten teeth. When The team of engineers gathered together to develop the connectivity technology, they were inspired by the unifying king who was nicknamed “Bluetooth”. The creation of the Bluetooth logo is made from King Heralds Gormsson initials written in combined runes and stacked on top of each other.

Wi-Fi was developed by John O’Sullivan and his team of astrophysicists in the end of the 1980’s. It was originally called WaveLan but then in the end of the 1990s WECA company was responsible for calling it “Wi-Fi”. It is an abbreviation for “Wireless Fidelity” similar to “hi fi” (high fidelity). The Wi-Fi logo is a symbol for wireless networks that can be applicable to technology. Also designed with interactive intentions as it displays the strength of the connection based on how many bars are highlighted.