Did Switzerland Invent The Internet?

The short answer is no. The internet, if we are to take this as the World Wide Web (WWW), was invented in the 1990s by Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist who was working at CERN at the time.

So, should the internet be credited to the Swiss or the British? It was created on Swiss soil (but depending in which part of CERN Berners-Lee was standing on it could have been French soil), that is for sure. But aside from that, there is little other claim since CERN is definitely not a Swiss run operation.

CERN is a European project that kicked off in 1953, when twelve countries signed it into operation. There are now 22 member states. Those member states are responsible for footing the bills that CERN runs up during its mind-bending experiments. So who should we say invented the internet? Is it all of those member countries who were part of the operation at the time Berners-Lee did his thing?

Again, the short answer is no.

The history of the internet is somewhat like the internet itself, slightly confusing at first and overhelming if you stare at it for too long.

We can’t say for certain who first thought up the internet, but Nikola Tesla was certainly thinking of it when he mused about the possibility of a “world wireless system” in the 1900s. In the 1960s J.C.R. Licklider (otherwise known as “Lick”), a computer scientist at MIT, took the idea further and discussed an “Intergalactic Computer Network” in a few memos. These would become the foundation for what we now know as the internet.

Towards the end of the 60s, the first precursor to the modern internet was created with the far less snazzy name of ARPAnet, or Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. It was funded by the US Department of Defence. In 1972, it was introduced to the International Computer Communication Conference along with a fascinating new invention known as ” electronic mail”. At the same time Robert Kahn and Vint Cerf, two American computer scientists, were putting together blueprints for the first internet protocol. Over the coming years, the network model was built upon until Berners-Lee gave us the World Wide Web in the 90s.

To say the Swiss invented the internet would be incorrect, rather it was a long haul process that involved the collective brains of many scientists working over many years to tweak and twiddle with different concepts. The World Wide Web was indeed a semi-Swiss invention, but it was more of a collaborative effort than anything. To summarise, we can say the Swiss didn’t really invent the internet, but we can’t say for certain who did, particularly because the internet itself isn’t entirely sure.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.