The day the World Wide Web was born

On March 12, 1989, the World Wide Web was created, marking a significant moment in the history of information sharing.

Developed by a British computer scientist working at CERN, Tim Berners-Lee, invented the World Wide Web (those three Ws in every website we visit), HTML, URL, and HTTP. Everything that is needed to kickstart a new digital era.  

For the most part, the internet was reserved for the government and scientists. Using the World Wide Web allowed sharing of information between these groups. In 1995, the Internet became commercially available. Even then, it was a place where people sought information.  

Fast-forward to today, with the contributions of Google, Meta, Amazon, Wiki, and so on, the Internet is as we know it today. A cesspool of information and connectivity. I say cesspool, as beautiful as the World Wide Web is, it has its own set of downsides, such as the rapid spread of misinformation, companies taking your personal data, cyberbullying and cybercrimes. It is, in short, now the true extension of the real world.  

But hey, that’s the cynical part of me talking. Let’s talk about all the good the World Wide Web has brought us, yeah? 

It has, first and foremost, democratized information. While there’s plenty of misinformation roaming around the web, there are plenty of accurate ones also. People can search for information about some problems or find answers to some of their questions. It has allowed us to build communities and become a large avenue of self-expression and sharing of information.  

It has also improved education and the way we learn. Online courses have allowed learners to earn certificates and degrees that would enhance their skills and education, giving them a slight edge when seeking employment.  

Of course, there’s entertainment, where we see media content from across the board, all readily available for us. And then access to services, such as online banking and e-commerce, are, in some sophisticated ways, products of the World Wide Web.  

So yes, there is a lot to be thankful for Tim Berners-Lee. The World Wide Web and the Internet continue to evolve from the foundations set in the wild ‘80s.