In today’s digital age, the Internet has become an integral part of our lives, shaping how we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. But beyond its everyday utility, the Internet is also a fascinating realm filled with quirks and surprises. Join us as we delve into the top 10 mind-blowing facts about the Internet, revealing the hidden wonders that lie beneath the surface of this vast virtual landscape.
The Internet's weight:
Ever wondered about the weight of the internet? About 60 grams, or perhaps 6 micrograms, depending which method you use to calculate the weight of the active electrons necessary to sustain the global network. That’s like a medium-sized strawberry.
Underwater Internet highways:
Think your Wi-Fi travels through thin air? Well, some of it actually swims! There are underwater cables—real, physical cables—stretching across oceans to connect continents. It’s like the internet has its own secret aquatic society. Some cables are longer than the distance between London and New York, carrying information between continents at the speed of, well, light! So next time you video chat with your cousin in Australia, picture their data taking a scenic underwater tour.
Interested to see the full submarine cable network, check here!
The maximum speed
Blink, and you might miss it! The fastest internet speed ever recorded is mind-bogglingly swift, a staggering 178 terabits per second, roughly 5 million times faster than the average speed. In comparison, a “normal” Internet speed is around 60Mbps in Europe.
This world record was achieved by researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology.
The World Wide Web's Birthday:
Happy Birthday, WWW! The World Wide Web was born on March 12, 1989, thanks to Sir Tim Berners-Lee.
He invented the World Wide Web while working at CERN to solve document storage and sharing issues. His decentralized design allowed linking between databases, leading to the Web’s rapid growth after its release in 1991. Berners-Lee’s ongoing contributions, including founding the W3C, shaped the development of HTML5 and XML, making the Web central to the Information Age.
Now it’s all grown up and filled with cat videos, TikToks, and endless scrolling.
The archives of Internet
Ever heard of the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine? It’s like a time-travelling DeLorean for websites. You can check out what your favourite sites looked like years ago. Spoiler alert: Early internet design was… experimental.
The Queen's first email:
Queen Elizabeth II is not just the Queen of England; she’s also a tech pioneer. She sent her first email back in 1976 on a visit at a telecommunications research centre in Malvern, England, and using ARPANET! The email itself was to announce the arrival of a new programming language that had been developed and was headed “A Message from Her Majesty the Queen”. She signed off with an informal “Elizabeth R”. She then used the same sign off for all her digital communication.
A whole lot of spam:
Spam isn’t just a mystery meat; it’s also a digital annoyance. The first spam email was sent in 1978. Gary Thuerk, a marketing manager, sent out promotional emails about his company’s new computer model to around 400 recipients. It’s said that these email marketing efforts generated sales worth $13 million for the company.
Now, around 50% of all emails are spam. That’s a lot of unwanted virtual meat in your inbox.
The Origin of the Wi-Fi Symbol:
Phil Belanger, one of the founders of the Wi-Fi Alliance and involved in naming “Wi-Fi,” has suggested that Interbrand created the term as a play on “hi-fi.” Additionally, Interbrand was responsible for designing the Wi-Fi logo, which features a yin-yang symbol to signify product certification for interoperability.
Internet on Mount Everest:
Even at the top of the world, you can stay connected. Mount Everest has 4G coverage, allowing climbers to stream their summit selfies. Because if you climb Everest and don’t Instagram it, did it even happen?
The Internet is not just a highway; it’s a rollercoaster of bytes, bits, and boundless banter, filled with surprises waiting to be discovered. From underwater cables to royal emails, the Internet’s quirky tidbits remind us of its whimsical nature and endless possibilities. So, the next time you embark on a digital journey, remember to marvel at the wonders of the Internet and the fascinating stories it has to tell.
