Did the Military Invent the Internet?

The Internet as we know it today didn’t appear overnight. It emerged from decades of research, experimentation, and collaboration among scientists, universities, and government agencies. But while many groups played important roles, the foundation of the Internet can be traced back to a single groundbreaking effort led by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The U.S. military’s investment in networking technology during that time laid the foundation for the World Wide Web, smartphones, social media, and the reliable Internet service families depend on all across the country. At SmartMove, we help military families access the best Internet options while deployed and provide resources to help families stay connected during moves and relocations. The Internet has come a long way, so let’s take a look back and see exactly how it all began.

The Cold War Roots of Digital Communication

The foundational technology that resulted in the Internet dates back to the late 1950s and 60s, when the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was at its height. When the Soviet Union launched the first satellite ever, Sputnik, in 1957, it became clear that the U.S. was losing the space race and falling behind technologically.

In response, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) — later renamed Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) — in 1958 to accelerate the development of new technologies and try to surge ahead of the USSR.

The Department of Defense needed communication systems that could withstand a nuclear attack or physical disruption of telephone lines. Computer scientist J.C.R. Licklider was the first to conceptualize an “Intergalactic Computer Network.” This groundbreaking idea would lead to the invention of ARPANET, the first iteration of the Internet.

The Birth of ARPANET: The Origins of the Internet

To understand the conception of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), we need to break down the existing technologies of the day and the milestones that led up to it.

Why ARPA Needed a New Kind of Network

Communication technology in the 60s relied on centralized mainframe computers and direct telephone line connections, both of which could fail completely if any part of the system was damaged or destroyed. ARPA wanted an alternative: a decentralized network where information could travel through multiple routes between different computer systems.

This concept, known as a “packet-switching network,” would allow the military to share information reliably, even if parts of the network went down.

The Invention of Packet Switching

The concept of packet switching emerged simultaneously from several brilliant minds, including Paul Baran at RAND Corporation, Donald Davies at the National Physical Laboratory in the United Kingdom, and Leonard Kleinrock at UCLA. Instead of sending data through a single continuous connection, packet switching divides information into small data packets that travel independently across the network.

Each packet contains addressing information — similar to today’s IP addresses — allowing routers and interface message processors (IMPs) to send them through different paths before reassembling them at their destination. This made the ARPANET resilient, efficient, and scalable in ways previous telecommunications systems could never achieve.

The First ARPANET Connections

The first ARPANET “node” went live at UCLA in Los Angeles on October 29, 1969, when Kleinrock’s team sent the first message to Stanford Research Institute (SRI). That first message was supposed to read “login,” but the system crashed after transmitting just two letters — “lo.”

Despite this hiccup, it marked the beginning of the Internet age. By December 1969, four nodes connected UCLA, SRI, the University of California at Santa Barbara, and the University of Utah, creating the first operational packet-switching network. These host computers used IMPs as early routers, forming the foundation of computer networks that would grow exponentially throughout the 1970s.

Early Collaboration Between Scientists and the Military

ARPANET’s success couldn’t have happened without the unusual partnership between defense researchers and academic institutions. While the Pentagon funded the project for military and national security purposes, universities contributed the scientific expertise and experimental freedom needed to push boundaries and accelerate the creation of the Internet.

With military funding, computer scientists at university research institutions developed network protocols and methods for different computers to communicate seamlessly.

From ARPANET to the Internet We Use Today

Throughout the 1970s, ARPANET grew rapidly, adding more universities, research labs, and government facilities to the interconnected network. However, different institutions used different protocols, making communication difficult if the systems weren’t outright incompatible.

During their time at Stanford University in the 1970s, computer scientists Drs. Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn designed the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). These protocols created a universal “language” for networks to talk to one another, regardless of their underlying hardware or software. When ARPANET adopted the TCP/IP protocol on January 1, 1983 — known today as “flag day” — it effectively became the first true network of networks, the conceptual birthplace of the modern Internet.

The next major leap came in the 80s with the creation of the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET) in 1986. This government-funded project expanded the Internet beyond military and defense-related research, connecting universities and institutions across the country. NSFNET democratized network access, allowing academic communities outside of defense projects to collaborate, experiment, and innovate online.

In 1989, programmer Tim Berners-Lee at CERN invented the World Wide Web, including URIs, HTTP, and HTML, by combining the idea of TCP with the domain name system (DNS) invented by Paul Mockapetris. The first web browser, Mosaic, developed at the University of Illinois, made the Internet accessible to everyday users. What began as a defense project evolved into a global network connecting billions of people through broadband, dial-up, WiFi, and smartphones.

The Military’s Ongoing Impact on Internet Technology

The Department of Defense continues to drive network and communication technologies that shape the lives of civilians all over the world. Military research advances cybersecurity infrastructure, satellite communications, and encryption standards, protecting online transactions. The military pioneered GPS technology — initially for navigation — which now powers ride-sharing, delivery services, and location-based apps.

The unparalleled standards that guide military networks — reliability, redundancy, and security — inform how the best private Internet service providers build their broadband infrastructure. This relationship continuously improves high-quality Internet service that everyday Americans rely on for work, education, and staying connected to the ones they love.

Connecting the Principles of ARPANET to Modern Internet Needs

ARPANET established the core principles that still define reliable connectivity today. The ARPA network prioritized a decentralized, distributed structure, where no single failure could crash the system. This philosophy is the foundation of modern broadband, where redundant infrastructure keeps the Internet running despite equipment failures.

Similarly, packet-switching remains the backbone of the Internet protocol today, whether streaming video or using a web browser. The ARPANET created the speed, reliability, and security that civilian and military families alike continue to enjoy. Most importantly, whether through social media or WiFi-enabled calls, it keeps families connected, both at home and abroad.

How SmartMove Helps Military Families Stay Connected

Military families understand better than anyone how important reliable connectivity is — whether you’re managing a PCS move, helping kids with online learning, or staying in touch with a deployed loved one. SmartMove was built to make these transitions easier. On our platform, you can find and compare top Internet service providers for military families nationwide, showing you the fastest and most reliable connections available at your new address.

We know military moves happen fast, and Internet installation appointments near bases fill up quickly during peak PCS season. That’s why SmartMove streamlines the entire process — you can compare plans, check provider availability, maximize military discounts, and even transfer existing service if your current provider serves your new location. SmartMove’s mission echoes the goals of the military innovators who built ARPANET: creating connections that work when you need them most.

Ready to find the best Internet service at your next service location? Get the Internet tips military families need and discover how to stay connected during deployment. SmartMove makes it simple.