The Internet has transformed from being a proper noun to a generic term. When it first appeared in newspapers in 1969, it was always capitalized, as there was only one "Internet." It was talked about as a way of networking, being a network of networks, as it was invented for such purposes by ARPANET and funded by the Department of Defense. There were only four nodes, or places of connection, at different universities that allowed for the Internet to be passed through and used as a form of communication. It was said to be created in case a military event destroyed conventional communication systems, in which case the Internet could then take its place.
When looking at the term internet now, it is still talked about in the same ways, as a form of networking, though it is referred to as a common thing in which many people have possession of, rather than it being one, specific Internet. It also changed by being closely related to the email, as the articles always included both terms. It was specific when saying the world wide web is not the same thing as the Internet, but rather just one of the many resources the Internet has to offer, though people tend to use the terms interchangeable.
I never would have thought that the internet originated in part because of the military. It goes to show how many of the aspects of our society have been impacted through the United States' pursuit of an exceptional military.
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