Internet at 40

October 29, 2009

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Profile America — Thursday, October 29th. A technological breakthrough that has had a profound impact on American society, the nation’s economy and on most individuals is 40 years old. It was on this date in 1969 that the first connection was made on what would become the Internet. The first two computers linked were at the University of California at Los Angeles and the Stanford Research Institute — part of a defense department program called ARPANET. Within a year, 10 sites were connected, and in 1972, the now universal symbol for “at” was selected to facilitate e-mail. Today, six-out-of-10 U.S. households have access to the Internet, and just over half have a broadband connection. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 527
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1118
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html