The internet is a vast and wondrous place, full of surprises and hidden gems. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a global phenomenon, the internet has come a long way. Here are 30 internet facts that will make you think twice about the online world.
1. The Internet is Not a Single Entity
The internet is not a single entity, but rather a network of interconnected computers and servers that communicate with each other using standardized protocols. This decentralized system allows for the free flow of information and has enabled the internet to become the global phenomenon it is today.
2. The First Email was Sent in 1971
The first email was sent in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson, who also invented the "@" symbol as a way to address messages. This pioneering achievement paved the way for the development of modern email systems and revolutionized the way people communicate.
3. The Internet Uses Underwater Cables
Despite what many people think, the internet doesn't just exist in the air. Underwater cables, often referred to as submarine communications cables, carry a significant portion of international internet traffic across the world's oceans.
4. The World Wide Web is Not the Internet
The World Wide Web and the Internet are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. The Internet refers to the underlying network of computers, while the World Wide Web refers to the system of interlinked hypertext documents that we access using web browsers.
5. The First Website is Still Online
The first website, launched by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991, is still accessible today at http://info.cern.ch/. This historic website was created to provide information about the World Wide Web project and its development.

The website is hosted by CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, where Berners-Lee worked at the time. It remains a functional website, with links to information about the web's history & development. The website's content has been preserved to reflect its original appearance & functionality.
6. The Internet Has a 'Twin'
The internet has a "twin" called the dark web, which refers to a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is only accessible using special software. The dark web is often associated with illicit activities, but it also has legitimate uses.
7. Google's First Storage was Made from LEGO
Google's first storage system was made from LEGO bricks, which were used to house the company's first hard drives. This innovative solution was used to store the massive amounts of data that Google needed to index the internet.
8. The Internet Uses More Energy than You Think
The internet uses a significant amount of energy, with estimates suggesting that it accounts for around 10% of global electricity usage. This is due to the massive number of data centers, servers, and network devices that are required to keep the Internet running.
9. The First Online Shopping Transaction
The first online shopping transaction took place in 1984, when a British man named Michael Aldrich made a purchase online using a domestic television and a telephone line. This pioneering transaction marked the beginning of e-commerce as we know it today.
10. The Internet Has a 'Kill Switch'
The internet has a "kill switch" that can be used to shut down the entire network in the event of a catastrophic failure or cyber-attack. However, the existence and operation of this switch are shrouded in secrecy.
11. The First Social Media Platform
The first social media platform was called SixDegrees.com, which was launched in 1997. This pioneering platform allowed users to create profiles, list their friends, and see how they were connected to other people.
12. The Internet is Home to a Digital Cemetery
The internet is home to a digital cemetery, where websites and online platforms go to die. This cemetery, which is hosted by the Internet Archive, contains a vast collection of defunct websites, online platforms, and digital artifacts.
13. The First Online Forum
The first online forum, called Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), was launched in 1978. This pioneering platform allowed users to access and share information via a dial-up modem, paving the way for the development of modern online communities.
14. The Internet Has a Unique 'Fingerprint'
Every device that connects to the internet has a unique "fingerprint" that can be used to identify it. This fingerprint, which is made up of a combination of hardware and software characteristics, can be used to track devices and prevent cyber attacks.
15. The First Virus was Created in 1971
The first computer virus, known as the "Creeper virus," was created in 1971 by Bob Thomas. This virus was an experimental self-replicating program designed to infect other computers.

It was able to spread to other machines, displaying the message "I'm the creeper, catch me if you can!" on infected systems. The Creeper virus marked the beginning of the malware era.
16. The Internet is Not Always Available
Despite its ubiquity, the internet is not always available. Natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and technical failures can all cause internet outages, highlighting the importance of disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
17. The First Online Payment System
The first online payment system, called PayPal, was launched in 1998. This pioneering platform allowed users to make online payments using their credit cards, paving the way for the development of modern e-commerce.
18. The Internet Has a 'Hidden' Address Book
The internet has a "hidden" address book, known as the Domain Name System (DNS), which translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses. This system is crucial for the functioning of the internet but is often overlooked.
19. The First Cyber Attack
The first cyber attack, which was launched in 1988, was called the "Morris worm." This attack, which was designed to demonstrate the vulnerability of the internet, marked the beginning of the cyber security era.
20. The Internet Uses a 'Secret' Handshake
The internet uses a "secret" handshake, known as the TCP/IP protocol, to establish connections between devices. This handshake, which involves a series of complex steps, is crucial for the functioning of the Internet.
21. The First Virtual Assistant
The first virtual assistant, called IBM's "Simon," was launched in 1994. This pioneering platform allowed users to interact with computers using natural language, paving the way for the development of modern virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa.
22. The Internet Has a 'Memory'
The internet has a "memory," known as the Internet Archive, which stores a vast collection of web pages, online platforms, and digital artifacts. This memory, which is hosted by the Internet Archive, provides a unique glimpse into the history of the internet.
23. The First Online Map
The first online map, called MapQuest, was launched in 1996. This pioneering platform allowed users to view maps and get directions online, paving the way for the development of modern mapping technologies like Google Maps.
24. The Internet Uses a 'Unique' Language
The internet uses a unique language, known as HTTP, to communicate between devices. This language, which is made up of a series of commands and protocols, is crucial for the functioning of the Internet.
25. The First Online Game
The first online game, called "MUD," was launched in 1978. This pioneering platform allowed users to interact with each other in a virtual environment, paving the way for the development of modern online gaming.
26. The Internet Has a 'Dark' Side
The internet has a "dark" side, known as the deep web, which refers to a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. This side of the internet is often associated with illicit activities, but it also has legitimate uses.
27. The First Online Chat Room
The first online chat room, called "Talkomatic," was launched in 1973. This pioneering platform allowed users to interact with each other in real time, paving the way for the development of modern online communities.
28. The Internet Uses a 'Virtual' Highway
The internet uses a "virtual" highway, known as the internet backbone, to transmit data between devices. This highway, which is made up of a series of high-speed networks, is crucial for the functioning of the Internet.
29. The First Online Encyclopedia
The first online encyclopedia, called "Wikipedia," was launched in 2001. This pioneering platform allowed users to create and edit articles online, paving the way for the development of modern online knowledge sharing.
30. The Internet is Still Evolving
The internet is still evolving, with new technologies and innovations emerging every day. From artificial intelligence to blockchain, the internet is constantly changing and adapting to meet the needs of its users, ensuring that it remains a vibrant and dynamic platform for communication and innovation.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.