The past and future history of the Internet

The Internet has revolutionized computers and communications world like nothing before. The telegraph, telephone, radio and computer have all set the stage for the Internet's unprecedented integration of capability. The Internet is at once a worldwide broadcasting capability, a mechanism for information dissemination, and a medium for collaboration and interaction between individuals and their computers without regard for geographic location. The Internet also represents one of the most successful examples of sustained investment and commitment to research and development in the information infrastructure. Beginning with early research in packet switching, the government, industry, and academia have been partners in evolving and deploying the Internet, the exciting new technology. The Internet today is a widespread information infrastructure, the initial prototype of what is often called the National Information Infrastructure. Its history is complex and involves many aspects like, technological, organizational and community.