[ih] Early Internet history

[Miles Fidelman]

On 7/5/18 4:36 PM, Jack Haverty wrote:

> AFAIK, the Internet is the first implementation of a "network" (i.e., a
> data communications system using lots of distributed processors to move
> bits) that is done with the components being designed, manufactured,
> installed, and operated independently but cooperatively by more than one
> organization.  Earlier networks of computers, e.g., the ARPANET, IBM's
> multi-drop networks, et al, were all under control of one entity.  Some
> such networks got to be pretty large, but were always under single
> management.  The Internet changed that, and IMHO that facilitate its
> growth.  Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong...
>
Kind of sounds like the international postal system.  Or shipping 
packages internationally.  (For a very loose definition of "data 
communications.")  I seem to recall folks referring to to packets as 
"mailgrams" every once in a while.

And, I believe that both USENET (or at least UUCP) and BITNET predated 
the TCP/IP cutover by a couple of years.  They were both decentralized 
and "operated independently but cooperatively by more than one 
organization."

Miles Fidelman








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