On the 3rd of July 1969, UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) called a press conference in which the shocking idea was brought to the public, stating that they “will become the first station in a nationwide computer network which, for the first time, will link together computers of different makes and using different machine languages into one time-sharing system” (Brown, 2022)

They were proven right, as we have continued to access the internet every day; from using our phones to driving our cars, the internet is a vital cornerstone of our society: and one we have become near enough dependent on.

They believed that the creation of the networks was a vital step forward in computer technology and that it may serve as the forerunner of “larger computer networks in the future” (Brown, 2022 and UCLA, 1969)

“The ambitious project is supported by the Defense Department’s Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA), which has pioneered many advances in computer research, technology, and applications during the past decade.” Announced the UCLA press release (1969), they continued “The system will, in effect, pool the computer power, programs, and specialized know-how of about 15 computer research centres, stretching from UCLA to M.I.T.”

The first stage of this project went into operation in the autumn as a subnet, joining UCLA (Brown, 2022 and UCLA, 1969) and the entire network was expected to be operational in “late 1970”

The lead of the group was named Leonard Kleinrock, a prolific professor of engineering who described how the network might handle a problem: “Programmers at Computer A have a blurred photo which they want to bring into focus. Their program transmits the photo to Computer B, which specializes in computer graphics, and instructs B’s program to remove the blur and enhance the contrast. If B requires specialized computational assistance, it may call on Computer C for help.” (UCLA, 1969) He was also quoted to have said “Computer networks are not an entirely new concept. The SAGE radar defence system of the fifties was one of the first, followed by airlines’ SABRE reservation system.”

At the time, the biggest system was the electronically switched telephone system. However, the key difference was that all three examples were highly specialized and single-purpose systems, whereas the network promised to be a “wide assortment” of different computers for a wide range of “unclassified research functions” (Brown, 2022 and UCLA, 1969)

UCLA’s part contained approximately 20 people, 15 of which were graduate students. They played a key role as the “official network measurement centre, analysing computer interaction and network behaviour, comparing performance against anticipated results and keeping a continuous check on the network’s effectiveness” (Brown, 2022 and UCLA, 1969)

For this job, they used a highly specialized computer, the Sigma 7, which was developed by Scientific Data Systems of Los Angeles.

Kleinrock predicted that “computer utilities” would service individual homes and the network would only grow more “sophisticated” as time went on. This was proven to be more than true, in some houses, there are more than 1 or 2 home computers that are accessing this very same network at unfathomable speeds. Our phones and other digital devices also access this network

“A small group of computer scientists working out of a modest space in UCLA’s Boelter Hall accomplished something never before seen” states UCLA 100 (2022), continuing “They successfully created the world’s first network connection – two machines on campus that were linked together virtually It was part of what was known as ARPANET, and became the first node – or prelude – of what would eventually become the internet.”

So, what does this mean for us in the modern-day? It means that we can get messages from Beijing to Birmingham in a single second, it means that we can talk to complete strangers on the opposite side of the world with the push of a button, and it means that many of the jobs that are now vital to our economy run on the idea that we could do more with the basic computer.

It has a large impact on the world around us and the overall outlook of our species, for better or worse. The idea that it only took a few months to invent one of the most influential and important technologies in our history is inspiring and may further shape the world in unforeseen ways. It started with an idea, then a plan, and became the very thing that holds our society intact. The world must continue its innovative path, and for our world to keep being changed for the better of humanity.

Ultimately, we all know what the internet is, the fact you’re reading this article truly justifies the impeccable work that took hold of our society, and even after all this time, we still massively depend on what is possibly one of the greatest inventions ever brought forth by mankind. The question I pose to you is: