The Man Who Envisioned The Internet

So much of our lives are wrapped up in the Internet, one way or the other.

In my lifetime, I can’t think of anything that has had a more transformative effect.
 
Think about it.  The Internet has changed how we receive the news - and how quickly.

Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have redefined how hundreds of millions of people interact with each other.

The Internet has even brought change to one of the most change-resistant institutions in society - the educational system. Today there are accredited online college programs readily available to people who never could have seen a way to get higher education before.

With all this massive change, I thought it would be interesting to know where it all came from.

I finally found out. And I'd like to pay huge homage to a little-known engineer, a Polish immigrant to the United States, who dreamed up the idea that eventually led to the very network that allows you to read this blog post.

His name was Paul Baran, and he wrote a 24-page paper for a think-tank in 1960 that laid out the foundation for the Web we know and love (and sometimes hate and curse) today.
Mr. Baran died last year in Palo Alto at age 84.

Here's a guy who was a practical visionary, right up to his very last breath.

"... [S]itting in bed before he died, Paul Baran sketched out an idea and sent it to Wheeler [a friend a business partner] for a look. It was a detailed plan on how to run a better hospital.
"
If you're interested in how ideas become pervasive reality (and to me, that is one of the most important aspects of how copywriting ultimately works), see this terrific appreciation of Mr. Baran by Bloomberg Businessweek's Brendan Greeley.

And, on a personal note, thank you, Mr. Baran.

David Garfinkel
Publisher, World Copywriting Newsletter

 

Comments

[Paul]

Too bad we don't give more credit where credit is due. There's lots of regular people we take so much for granted. Could be a janitor faithfully doing the job. Could be an ordinary person with a brilliant mind, but nobody knows, cares, or notices. It time we appreciate them. They're the real stars.

[Jim]

Thanks for this David,

A very interesting look at someone I had never heard of.

--J

[Tim Clarke]

Great job David
On your research and discovery, this information clear up a lot of questions that was on a lot of people minds.

[Lauren Tyson]

I agree. Very interesting! And also ironic there is not a "share on Facebook" icon next to the article!

[David Garfinkel]

Uh... gulp. Right, Lauren.

I'm a few years behind on social media myself...

[SEO Jacksonville]

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On your analysis and development, this details obvious up a lot of concerns that was on a lot of individuals thoughts.

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