• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Ihof Logo Header 182px 67px

Internet Hall of Fame

Recognizing the People Who Bring the Internet to Life

Search DropdownSearch IconNominate
  • About
    • Advisory Board
    • Previous Events
  • Inductees
  • News
    • Blog
    • Announcements
  • Nominate
Home / Inductees in the News / 50 Years Ago the First Computer Talked
29 October 2019

50 Years Ago the First Computer Talked

Part of the Internet Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, Kleinrock was one of the developers of ARPANET, the forerunner of the modern Internet.

When he got a computer to “talk” 50 years ago, Leonard Kleinrock did not expect it to eventually start shouting. 

Leonard Kleinrock

Part of the Internet Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, Kleinrock was one of the developers of ARPANET, the forerunner of the modern Internet. His laboratory at the University of California-Los Angeles hosted the first ARPANET node computer and in October 1969, directed the network’s first transmission. 

In a recent interview with the Japan Times, Kleinrock acknowledged that the Internet’s less benevolent uses, such as the amplification of hate speech or misinformation, have become more widespread than he could have contemplated back in its early days. However, to him, those problems do not outweigh the progress that has been made possible over the last 50 years. 

“I do still worry. I think everyone is feeling the impact of this very dark side of the internet that has bubbled up,” Kleinrock said. “I still feel that the benefits are far more significant; I wouldn’t turn off the internet if I could.”

Related Posts

28 May 2019

Innovative “Names Dress” Honors Women in STEAM

Read More about Innovative “Names Dress” Honors Women in STEAM

4 September 2019

A Contract to Protect the Web

Read More about A Contract to Protect the Web

27 June 2019

A Celebration of Internet Milestones

Read More about A Celebration of Internet Milestones

20 February 2019

Day of Reckoning with Big Data

Read More about Day of Reckoning with Big Data

Footer

Facebook F 1
Twitter 1
Youtube 1
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us

The Internet Hall of Fame is presented by:

Internet Society 76x25

USA

11710 Plaza America Drive
Suite 400
Reston, VA 20190
+1-703-439-2120

Switzerland

Rue Vallin 2
CH-1201 Geneva
+41-22-807-1444

Other Offices

© 2023 Internet Society