The Internet began about 30 years ago as the result of a Department of Defense grant. The network, originally called ARPAnet and later MILnet , linked together many educational and military institutions. Lately, the Internet has emerged into the mainstream as a result of increased numbers of home computers and realization of its commercial opportunities.
Growth moves at a faster rate.
Everybody has to have one. It has happened with TV, color TV, VCRs, compact discs, and now with personal computers. The number of subscribers to on-line services has dramatically increased since 1990. In the past 12 months alone, the number has doubled as new users have been hooking up at the rate of one every 1.6 seconds. Many companies are using self-contained Intranets to perform communications and scheduling tasks.