Who really invented the internet? Think Xerox and Apple

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

It has been said that Al Gore claims to have invented the internet, but clearly, that's a silly over interpretation.

The other day the President claimed that government invented the internet.

However, that's also an over reach. The government developed TCP/IP which is the language of the internet, but it wasn't government that applied it.

In the 1970's Xerox was in the computer and copier business. A big challenge was hooking up multiple computers to one copier. They developed a way to network computers and copiers.

It was in the late 70's that Steve Jobs inked a deal with Xerox to use some of it's innovative technology - including computer inner-connectivity. He said Xerox was so focused on copiers that they didn't realize that their use of TCP/IP was an even bigger innovation.

It's important to understand the history of the Internet because it's too often wrongly cited to justify big government. It's also important to recognize that building great technology businesses requires both innovation and the skills to bring innovations to market. As the contrast between Xerox and Apple shows, few business leaders succeed in this challenge. Those who do—not the government—deserve the credit for making it happen.

From: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...008406518.html

[Dave McClung]

It has been said that Al Gore claims to have invented the internet, but clearly, that's a silly over interpretation.

The other day the President claimed that government invented the internet.

However, that's also an over reach. The government developed TCP/IP which is the language of the internet, but it wasn't government that applied it.

In the 1970's Xerox was in the computer and copier business. A big challenge was hooking up multiple computers to one copier. They developed a way to network computers and copiers.

It was in the late 70's that Steve Jobs inked a deal with Xerox to use some of it's innovative technology - including computer inner-connectivity. He said Xerox was so focused on copiers that they didn't realize that their use of TCP/IP was an even bigger innovation.



From: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...008406518.html

Xerox and Apple may have developed the internet, but the real commercial breakthrough was by Compuserve and Prodigy. Their networks predated the internet, but laid the foundation for the World Wide Web. Without the World Wide Web, the internet would only be useful to government agencies.

[Billy Cox]

Xerox and Apple may have developed the internet, but the real commercial breakthrough was by Compuserve and Prodigy. Their networks predated the internet, but laid the foundation for the World Wide Web. Without the World Wide Web, the internet would only be useful to government agencies.

Actually the internet predates Compuserve, Prodigy and the foremost online service, America Online, but online services were key to broadening internet use beyond government entities, techies and academic institutions. Opening the internet to consumers was key to the development of the web.

[Rich Schmidt]

Actually the internet predates Compuserve, Prodigy and the foremost online service, America Online, but online services were key to broadening internet use beyond government entities, techies and academic institutions. Opening the internet to consumers was key to the development of the web.

I think that's what Dave just said.... isn't it?

[Billy Cox]

I think that's what Dave just said.... isn't it?

Dave said that online services (Compuserve and Prodigy) predated the internet, but the more accurate statement is that online services predated the web. I also had to give props to America Online. It was far more of a game changer than the other online services.

[Rich Schmidt]

Dave said that online services (Compuserve and Prodigy) predated the internet, but the more accurate statement is that online services predated the web. I also had to give props to America Online. It was far more of a game changer than the other online services.

Hmmm... I'd skipped over that line in Dave's post because it didn't seem to be the point he was making. But now that I'm digging... His statement might still be accurate, depending on which dates you use for the beginnings of "the internet" and CompuServe.

[Billy Cox]

Hmmm... I'd skipped over that line in Dave's post because it didn't seem to be the point he was making. But now that I'm digging... His statement might still be accurate, depending on which dates you use for the beginnings of "the internet" and CompuServe.

Ahh yes, I had forgotten that Compuserve was the old man of the online service players of the early 90's.

[Alisa Stoll]

Ahh yes, I had forgotten that Compuserve was the old man of the online service players of the early 90's.

Definitely old - Ken graduated from MVNC in 1981 and started working for CompuServe. The internet service was two years old at that point.

Technically at that point it was a dial-up service at the start and continued to be so until the late 80's. - added by my husband when I read him the quote.

Of course the original focus of CompuServe was computer sharing - the owner bought a larger capacity computer than what his company needed and sold time on it to other companies.

Alisa

[Marsha Lynn]

Definitely old - Ken graduated from MVNC in 1981 and started working for CompuServe. The internet service was two years old at that point.

Technically at that point it was a dial-up service at the start and continued to be so until the late 80's. - added by my husband when I read him the quote.

Of course the original focus of CompuServe was computer sharing - the owner bought a larger capacity computer than what his company needed and sold time on it to other companies.

Alisa

Hey, Alisa. How long did Ken work for CompuServe? Do you know Greg & Mary Gerard? They are Olivet grads who live in Worthington. Greg worked for CompuServe for a while.

[Bob Evans]

I have always had the impression that Gore introduced the legislation to make the technology in use by the military and library system available to the public.

[Craig Laughlin]

Didn't you all watch the Olympics? - It was a British guy that invented the Internet! I saw it TV, it has to be right.

[Rich Schmidt]

Didn't you all watch the Olympics? - It was a British guy that invented the Internet! I saw it TV, it has to be right.

Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, not the internet. It was very cool to see him honored in the opening ceremonies.

[Rich Schmidt]

I have always had the impression that Gore introduced the legislation to make the technology in use by the military and library system available to the public.

More info here, for those interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore...ion_technology

[Steven Burton]

LOL, the writer just doesn't like the idea of not being able to claim self made man.

[Alisa Stoll]

Marsha,

Ken knew Greg. He doesn't see many former CompuServers unless he goes to church with them or currently works with them.

Alisa