December 25, 1990 – The first successful communication between an HTTP client and server over the Internet spawns the World Wide Web

Internet

The Internet and World Wide Web have revolutionised modern life.

Now, by pressing a few buttons on the computer, all your physical needs and wants can be met.

But where and when did it all begin?

In the 1980s, English physicist Tim Berners-Lee was a software consultant at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (better known as CERN).

He graduated from the Queen’s College at Oxford University, England in 1976.

He built his first computer with a soldering iron and an old television.

In March 1989, Berners-Lee gave his supervisor, Mike Sendall, a document entitled “Information Management: a Proposal”.

Tim Berners-Lee and Anders Berglund, both researchers at CERN, saw the need for a system of electronic document exchange.

This proposal was an attempt to help make scientific papers readable on a large number of incompatible computer systems.

Berners-Lee’s creation was fueled by a highly personal vision of the Web as a powerful force for social change and individual creativity.

An open, non-proprietary, and free format for all people to use.

Unfortunately, CERN remained unconvinced, and another 2 proposals were shelved as an interesting idea only.

It wasn’t until 25 December 1990 that the first successful communication between an HTTP client and server via the Internet was achieved.

And the realisation of the dream which continued to drive Tim for the next 3 years as he tried to convince people to use his invention.

Robert Cailliau was a young student staff student at CERN who assisted Tim in his endeavours, and it should be noted that he was instrumental in seeing this now popular medium reach the populace.