The Web Becomes Everyone’s

In 1989, researchers at CERN faced difficulties managing scattered knowledge across different computers and information systems. Tim Berners-Lee proposed using linked documents so people could follow connections easily without needing to know where each document was stored. In 1990, he built the first Web browser and server on a NeXT computer. This system allowed pages to link to one another using hyperlinks, functioning directly on top of the existing Internet rather than inventing a new network underneath it.

The project expanded beyond the laboratory in 1991, allowing outside individuals to run servers and build their own tools. This shift enabled readers to become publishers as well, removing dependence on any single central editor. On April 30, 1993, CERN formally released the core Web software, which included its basic client, server, and common code library, into the public domain. Eliminating royalties and licensing obstacles encouraged outsiders to adopt this technology rather than waiting for proprietary alternatives.