Whether you’re a seasoned internet user or just getting started, here are some interesting facts about the web’s history. The Internet has been around for several decades.
Although we use the internet daily, many people are unaware of certain unexpected facts regarding its history. Here are fourteen of the most unexpected facts regarding the history of the Internet.
Once upon a time, domain name registration was free
Nowadays, domain name registration costs between $10 and $20 per year, depending on various criteria. Some valuable domain names are even auctioned off for millions of dollars.
Yet, domain name registration used to be entirely free. Nonetheless, a $100 cost was placed on two-year domain name registration in 1995; however, this fee has since been drastically lowered.
In 1978, the first spam email was sent
Despite robust email filters, spam emails continue to find their way into our inboxes. Yet, email spam is not a new phenomenon. It began in 1978, when Gary Thuerk sent unsolicited emails to ARPANET users to sell the machines.
It’s worth noting that the term “spam” was not used then. Later that year 1993, a USENET user playfully invented the term “spamming.”
Spam emails have been a continual annoyance since then, even with stronger filters. If you are tired of receiving spam emails, consider using disposable email services while enrolling on websites.
Cadabra was the original name for Amazon
It’s common knowledge that Amazon began as a bookstore. Nonetheless, few people are aware that the now-first Amazon’s name was Cadabra. The mystical spell abracadabra inspired this name.
Nevertheless, Jeff Bezos changed the name to Amazon after his lawyer complained that it sounded too similar to the term “cadaver.” Amazon was chosen as the new name by Bezos because it began with A and reflected the world’s largest river.
Facebook’s Color Is Blue For A Reason
Since choosing the perfect color for your brand requires careful consideration. This, however, was not the case with Facebook.
Mark Zuckerberg, colorblind in the red-green spectrum, chose blue as the most noticeable color for his brainchild.
Myspace lost all data uploaded prior to 2016
Before the current Titans gained traction, Myspace was the most popular social network. That evoked many early memories for Millennials, including some amusing ones.
But, while migrating servers, Myspace inadvertently deleted all photographs, videos, and songs kept prior to 2016.
Why Do Email Addresses Include the @ Symbol?
@ has become a widely used symbol today as a result of its use in email addresses. Unfortunately, this was not the situation back then.
Because it was one of the least commonly used keyboard symbols, @ was utilized in email addresses.
When Ray Tomlinson invented email in 1971, he sought a sign that could be used to differentiate the username and host without generating confusion. Ray chose @ out of all the other symbols used in usernames.
WorldWideWeb was the first browser
Berners-Lee, the World Wide Web creator, also created the first browser, WorldWideWeb, which was eventually renamed Nexus. It served as both a browser and an editor.
Yet, because the WorldWideWeb was not extensively embraced, most people only remember Mosaic and Netscape as the first browsers.
If you’re interested in browser history, here’s Internet Explorers.
The definition of CAPTCHA
CAPTCHA, while important for security, is maybe the most aggravating thing on the internet. While we all know what CAPTCHA is, few people understand what it means.
CAPTCHA is an acronym that stands for “Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Distinguish Computer and Humans.” Isn’t that self-explanatory?
Google is derived from Googol
Googol is a number containing 100 zeros, in case you didn’t know. The founders of Google chose this number to signify their objective of organizing the endless knowledge available on the internet.
While registering a domain name, however, Sean Anderson mistyped it as Google, which is how the search engine earned its name.
Wi-Fi Isn’t an Abbreviation
As previously stated, Wi-Fi does not stand for anything. Most people confuse Wi-Fi for Wireless Fidelity; however, this is incorrect. Because the former name of this technology was IEEE 802.11b, it was shortened to Wi-Fi.
This was much easier to remember because it rhymed with hi-fi.
However, the Wi-Fi Alliance later used the tagline “The Standard for Wireless Fidelity,” which led many to believe it was the full form of Wi-Fi.
The Very First Online Purchase
The e-commerce business is currently worth $5 trillion. But how did it all begin, and what was the first item sold on the internet?
According to Jaime Bartlett’s book The Dark Net: Into the Digital Underworld, marijuana was the first thing sold online.
Although the transaction was planned online, the actual transaction took place in person. The first actual online transaction occurred in 1994 when Dan Kohn sold a CD of a music album and accepted payment online.
Google and Yahoo Offices are doing goats-grazing For years
IT corporations have been seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. Google and Yahoo, on the other hand, went a step further by hiring goats to mow the lawn.
Google contracted with California Grazing in 2009 to provide 200 goats to mow its Mountain View offices.
Yahoo did the same thing in 2007. Since these occurrences occurred over a decade ago, we’re not sure if they still occur today.
Queen Elizabeth II is the first monarch to send an email.
Queen Elizabeth II used ARPANET to send an email during a visit to the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment in 1976. Peter Kirsten assisted her in sending her first email, making her the first royal to do so.
Although Queen Elizabeth II was an early adopter of email, she only joined Twitter and Instagram in 2014 and 2019, respectively.
Berners-Lee Apologizes for Including a Double Slash in URLs
Despite all of the accolades for his work, Berners-Lee has one regret: including double forward slashes (after “http:”) in URLs.
He believes he could have omitted the slashes if he had chosen to. It wasn’t until later that he understood the slashes were wasting time and paper.
The History of the Internet Isn’t So Dull
Whether you’re a nerd or want to impress your pals with lesser-known information, you’ll love these. Nevertheless, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
There are several comparable facts concerning computers, the internet, and even tech behemoths like Google. And if you’re an internet nerd, you’ll find them fascinating.
In this article, we have read about various facts about the internet. To know more, follow this website.
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