The document provides a brief history of the internet from its origins in 1957 following the launch of Sputnik to its evolution and widespread use today. It began as ARPANET, a computer network created by ARPA to share information between universities and researchers. E-mail was developed in 1971 but was difficult to use with text-only formatting and requiring multiple windows. Over time, the internet became integrated into daily life for tasks like research, homework, and looking up health symptoms. While early critics were concerned about over-reliance on computers, they are now ubiquitous in homes and businesses for communication, information, and automation.

1. The Internet Then and Now A Quick History of the Internet