Researcher in digital humanities at UC Berkeley, exploring the future of human-computer interaction.
The year 2003 marked a massive renaissance in creative web development and decentralized communication. As high-speed broadband officially moved from a luxury to a household standard, the internet transformed into an active, two-way platform. This… Read More »16 Internet Evolution Facts: The 2003 Edition
In September, Larry Page and Sergey Brin incorporate Google Inc. in a friend’s garage in Menlo Park. Backed by a $100,000 check from Andy Bechtolsheim, they begin their mission to organize the world’s information. Part of the… Read More »Google is Officially Incorporated
Jeremy Stoppelman and Russel Simmons found a localized business review platform. It replaces traditional physical directories by putting crowdsourced customer feedback at the center of local commerce. Part of the 18 Internet Evolution Facts: The… Read More »The Birth of Yelp
Microsoft releases Windows 95 with the “Internet Jumpstart Kit,” which includes Internet Explorer 1.0. By bundling a browser with the world’s most popular OS, Microsoft sets the stage for the first “Browser War.” Part of the… Read More »The Launch of Windows 95 and IE
Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph found Netflix as a DVD-by-mail service. While not yet a streaming giant, its website-first rental model sets the stage for the eventual death of the video store. Part of the 18 Internet… Read More »Netflix is Founded
Netscape Communications goes public, and its stock price nearly triples on the first day. This event marks the official start of the Dot-Com Bubble, proving that “internet potential” is a massive magnet for Wall Street capital.… Read More »The Netscape IPO
Dries Buytaert releases an open-source content management framework. It empowers developers to build complex, community-driven web applications. Part of the 16 Internet Evolution Facts: The 2001 Edition archive. HistoricallyVerified
The National Science Foundation shuts down the NSFNET backbone, officially handing over the internet’s infrastructure to commercial network providers. The internet is no longer a government project; it is a private enterprise. Part of the 16… Read More »The NSFNET Decommissioning
This project allows millions of internet users to donate their “idle” computer power to help search for extraterrestrial life, showcasing the power of distributed computing. Part of the 19 Internet Evolution Facts: The 1999 Edition… Read More »The Launch of SETI@home
Cable and DSL connections double in residential homes across developed nations. The shift permanently kills the dial-up connection sound for millions. Part of the 16 Internet Evolution Facts: The 2002 Edition archive. HistoricallyVerified