In 1986 the National Science Foundation connected
NSFnet
to the Internet. This network connected universities, state academic networks, five
United States based
supercomputer
centers, and research labs and consortiums. NSFnet became the major U.S Internet
network. The National Science Foundation had major responsibility for this
network from 1987 through 1995. After 1995 other companies began taking over
responsibility of this network.
Similar networks such as
EARN or
European Academic Research Network, and
PACCOM or
PACific COMmunication Network were developing overseas. In
the early 1990s these networks were connected to the U.S. Internet to
form the beginnings of today's Internet. A worldwide network specifically
designed for computers had been born.