The year 1983 marks one of the biggest technological advancements in human history.

While the release of the video game Mario Bros undoubtedly takes a high place in the canon of human achievement, at the same time, a new communications protocol emerged, allowing various types of computers to communicate with each other across different networks. 

Birth of the Internet

This unveiling of the Transfer Control Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP) on Jan. 1, 1983, is widely accepted as the birth of the Internet as we know it today. However, the history of the internet and websites dates back to the 1960s. 

In 1969, the first successful communication between two computers took place when a message went out over ARPANET — the precursor to the Internet. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Internet continued to grow, with the development of protocols such as TCP/IP and the Domain Name System (DNS) making it easier to navigate and communicate.

In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist, proposed the World Wide Web, a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessible via the Internet. The world’s first web page went live on Aug. 6, 1991. 

The World Wide Web

By 1993, the World Wide Web software became available to the public, touching off a rapid expansion of the Internet and website usage. The creation of web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer made it easier for users to access and navigate the web. E-commerce also began to take off during this time, with companies like Amazon and eBay starting to sell products online.

The era also marked a major step toward the democratization of this growing online space. In 1997, Jomax Technologies launched to offer internet users an easier and more affordable way to secure domain names — and carve out their own niche of the web. 

A few years later, the company had expanded its offerings to include not only domain names, but also web hosting and website-building software. In 1999 Jomax Technologies got a new name — GoDaddy.

Evolution of the Internet and Websites

Social media websites started to boom in the early 2000s; Photo: GoDaddy[/caption]

The early 2000s saw the rise of social media platforms such as MySpace and Facebook, which allowed users to connect and share information. The introduction of broadband internet also made it faster and easier for users to access the web, leading to an explosion of online content and services. 

In recent years, the Internet and websites have continued to evolve. 

The rise of mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) connects more and more devices to the web. Cloud computing has also become a major technological development, allowing users to store and access data remotely. And most recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a major asset in business operations. For example, in 2024 GoDaddy Airo™ was unveiled to the public, providing an experience where users provide a few quick details to help them move beyond that “blank page syndrome” that can hinder creativity and progress.

By providing some basic details, users set GoDaddy Airo™ to work, helping name a business, launch a domain, and handle day-to-day website and marketing tasks from the first AI prompt. GoDaddy Airo™ instantly delivers all this without requiring a deep time investment or a need for tech skills.

Overall, the history of the Internet and websites is a story of innovation and collaboration.

As we look to the future, it’s clear web technology will continue to play a central role in our lives, driving further advancements and reshaping how we interact with the world around us.

Tune in to the Science Channel to watch Web Wise at 10 AM ET on Saturday, May 25 and the Discovery Channel on Sunday, May 26 at 9 am!