15 Minute Series What is the history of the Internet?


1980's

1985-86: The National Science Foundation (NSF) connects the nation's six supercomputing centers together. This network is called the NSFNET, or NSFNET backbone.

To expand access to the Internet, the NSF supported the development of regional networks, which were then connected to the NSFNET backbone. In addition, the NSF supported institutions, such as universities, in their efforts to connect to the regional networks.

Here is a diagram of the NSFNET backbone, as it appeared in 1993:

[Map of United States showing NSFNET backbone]



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