For those who were born during the internet era and after, you might not be aware of how big a change the internet triggered in the world.
Even a lot of visionary business people did not expect it to explode the way it did.
Paul Andrews’ “How the Web Was Won” offers an insightful journey through the pioneering days of the World Wide Web. Chronicling its rapid evolution from a novel concept to an indispensable part of our lives.
The book presents a detailed narrative. Capturing the key moments, people, and technologies that shaped the internet as we know it today.
Microsoft led by Bill Gates had took over the world with Windows. But was blindsided by how fast the internet grew. And it could possibly threaten the very survival of his empire. He then took rapid drastic actions to become a major player of the internet.
These are some of the key segments from the book that left an impression on me.
The browser
The birth of the browser is one of the pivotal developments discussed in the book is the creation of the first web browsers.
Browsers were the magic carpet that transported us to the vast universe of information available on the web.
Andrews highlights how browsers like Mosaic and Netscape played critical roles in making the internet accessible to the masses.
Without them, we’d still be using carrier pigeons for email, and let’s face it, they’re terrible at keeping attachments intact.
Commercialization
The commercialization frenzy that followed once businesses realized the web’s potential was like tulip mania.
This period was marked by a gold rush mentality, with companies scrambling to establish an online presence.
It was like a digital Wild West, where everyone wanted a piece of the virtual frontier.
This era laid the groundwork for e-commerce giants we see today.
Some of the early adoptors grew very big, very fast as the online space was very small compared to what it is today. Ebay, Amazon, Paypal, Yahoo!, just to name a few.
Visionaries and Innovators
The book emphasizes the importance of visionaries and innovators who foresaw the web’s potential beyond academia and military use.
Pioneers pushed the boundaries and transformed their visions into reality.
Their stories remind us that sometimes, all it takes is a bit of imagination and a refusal to accept “That’s impossible!” as an answer.
How the Web Was Won is an enlightening read for anyone interested in understanding how the web became an integral part of our world.
It really was a transformative power that caused disruption on a global scale. The type that we might not witness again until the next generation.
It captures the essence of innovation and highlights how a few determined individuals can change the course of history.
With its engaging storytelling and moments of levity, it makes for both an informative and entertaining read.
Biggest takeaway
When what we are fighting for is on such a macro scale, there is really no end game to attain.
But success is reflected by the long journey it takes to achieve an imaginary result.
Even when we fall behind, it is never too late to attempt to catch up.
Nobody knows for sure what can happen in future than will help or be detrimental to our pursuits.
Only when you give up do you truly fail.
