The Internet now has been around for longer than many people think, with its roots back to the 1960s. The following list will give you information on its rapid growth, the fierce competition generated, and the major group of actors involved:
The 1960s: The advent of packet-switching network heralds the birth of the Internet
1968: US Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) furthers packet-switching development
The 1970s: ARPA introduces network for defense and develops e-mail. US universities join the network
1973: First intercontinental network connection as University College of London joins the network
1975: Bill Gates creates Microsoft as PC sales grow
1979: USENET is developed, pushing the Internet’s rapid expansion
1985: Forerunner of America Online (AOL) is launched by Steve Case
1990: Tim Berners-Lee develops Internet computer language and address system
1991: WorldWideWeb browser and server software made available by Tim Berners-Lee
1993: Mosaic, the first properly developed web browser, takes the Internet by storm
1994: First World Wide Web Consortium conference held
1995: Amazon launched by Jeff Bezos
1995: eBay basis set by Pierre Omidyar
1995: Yahoo launched by David Filo and Jerry Yang
1998: Google opens its doors
1998: ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is born
2004: Google stock market launch
2005: Google invests US$ 1 billion for a 5% stake in Time Warner’s AOL
2006: Number of websites tops the 100,000,000 mark
Source: http://www.internet-story.com