Happy Birthday to the Internet!

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Happy Birthday to the Internet!

Today the Internet turns 40. Before we get into the details of all that this wondrous creation has brought us, let's look back to where it all began.

On October 29, 1969, a message was successfully sent from the terminal in UCLA to the terminal in Stanford. Although the system initially crashed, another attempt was successful and here we are, forty years later, with our bottomless pit o' porn and Viagra that is the World Wide Web. Group hug!

So, let's raise a glass to the Internet. You've grown from that oh-so-primitive network to something that can pay my bills, feed my cat, buy my shoes and feed all of my tech-related habits. Is there anything it can't do?

What impact has the Internet had on your life? Let us know in the comments below!

Now, where should I send this horrible, singing, ecard ...

Jane McEntegart
Jane McEntegart
Contributor

Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.

76 Comments Comment from the forums
  • doc70
    the best thing since sliced bread...
    Reply
  • Hellbound
    Happy B-day Interwebs....
    Reply
  • ben850
    The Game.
    Reply
  • Gin Fushicho
    YAY! *throws cakes around*
    Reply
  • CoryInJapan
    Forgot to mention it brought us online gaming..One of the best thing to happen to video games since 3dfx
    Reply
  • bgd73
    the net..for me...well the beginning sucked. I mean the 1999 and onward as a noob version. mid 2000s saw almost normal, like today. I disagree with the history. Top Secret always has one name, one location, and a false origin however. Way to go ucla! way to go!
    Reply
  • Ciuy
    imense impact ...
    Reply
  • jeraldjunkmail
    It plays Crysis...
    Reply
  • leafblower29
    here we are, forty years later, with our bottomless pit o' porn and Viagra that is the World Wide Web.

    For some reason I didn't expect Jane to say that.
    Reply
  • michaelahess
    Um, 3dfx, how I miss thee, oh wait, internet, yeah, it's cool too....guess that IS what I make my living off of :) Kinda wish for the old days of BBS' though, man those were fun!
    Reply