Kuiper networks with other hardworking professionals @enzo_mph, @littlebittyinthebigcity, @elsaatyourservice and @beasleyandbobby at a very small dog symposium in Lincoln’s New Salem, Illinois. Special thanks to the docent for posing for us.
Speaking of networks ? today is a big day in computer history. ?️ On this day in 1969, the size of the Internet increased exponentially!!* ?
The forerunner to today’s Internet was known as ARPANET. Although developed by the US Department of Defense, the project was peaceful ☮️ It was a proof of concept to show how universities could link computers together to share research & resources.
The *idea* behind how ARPANET worked was invented earlier in the 60s, with the original purpose of decentralizing communications in case of a nuclear missile strike. However, ARPANET was the first time a system was built to use the idea (called “packet switching.”)
The old way of connecting two computers (or telephones) was kind of like setting up a string and tin can ? between your house and your neighbor’s houses. You could only talk to one neighbor at a time (and so could they.)
The newfangled way used in ARPANET was for everyone to start writing down part of what they were going to say and putting it into an envelope with an address on it. ? Then we stick pulleys on our strings and use clothespins to pass everyone’s envelopes around the neighborhood.
This not only allows us to have multiple conversations at once, but it also means that if one string breaks the envelopes can still get to where they’re supposed to go. They might take longer because they have to go around the block first, but anyone can look at the address on the envelope and point that “packet” in the right direction. This is obviously a WAY simplified version, but the Internet still uses packet switching today for almost everything.
ARPANET connected the first two computers (UCLA and Stanford) on October 29, 1969, and the next two (UCSB and University of Utah) were added on December 5. That makes next year more or less the 50th anniversary of the Internet!
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* from 2 computers to 4 computers**
** yes I have worked in marketing why do you ask ?
Original post: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrCgShXDyrW/