Wireless networking, commonly referred to as Wi-Fi, has revolutionized modern-day communication. It used to be that you had to connect a computer or other device with a physical cable in order for it to receive an Internet connection from a modem.
With the invention of Wi-Fi, however, people can access the internet without cords and wires. This article explores the history behind Wi-Fi networking technology and how it became available for home users.
History of Wi-Fi
The story of wireless communication dates back over a hundred years ago when Guglielmo Marconi invented radio telegraphy in 1895. Following Marconi’s discovery, numerous advances were made before we finally got the Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) we know today.
In 1971 ALOHAnet developed the first true packet broadcasting system which moved packets through an aerial network onto several computer terminals at once – essentially inventing wireless data transmission systems for computers. By 1983 Compact Disc Digital Audio players were being produced using infrared remote controllers making short range wireless devices viable consumer products decades before modern day WiFi was introduced into homes.
However, if we are speaking specifically about what we consider “wireless” networks in common parlance – those that use radio frequency signals instead of direct connections via Ethernet cables – then early steps include cellular communications technologies developed by Motorola between 1967-1973 and some ad hoc networks designed by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), such as SURANET(a satellite based research network).
Further development happened in response to military needs during Desert Storm lead researchers John O’Sullivan et al from CSIRO who identified unexplored radio frequencies ranges they called “Junk Frequencies”. O’Sullivan’s team worked on using these frequencies as potential new channels for wifi like networks known now collectively under IEEE802..11 series protocols.
Wifi Technology First Finds Commercial Applications
While early versions of WiFi existed prior to 1991, the real starting point for wireless networking as we know it today can be traced back to when the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) experimented with IEEE802.11 technology in the early ’90s.
Once this study took root, research continued on network protocols suitable enough to eventually give a way for consumers who could use them in their own homes” began shortly thereafter. Several universities around the world joined forces with public-reception agencies forming partnerships about potential applications and researching interoperability between various devices using WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) standards – of which 802.11 compatibilities subsequently emerged.
Two years after that ground-breaking initial test by CSIRO, Wi-Fi had become a ‘patent-free’ success following work by Vic Hayes et al leading to the development of standards for 801.11b protocol which helped break more barriers down so hardware manufacturers began producing products based upon these standards making wifi available commercially over larger areas without interference from radio frequencies used nearby.
The convenience provided by this new technology quickly drew attention from office managers worldwide who recognized practical uses might well include workers being able to access files remotely through one unified local area network, or backup remote branches offered many technical advantages such as reducing costs associated with licensing equipment-and better security due rapid flow data transfer speeds benefiting transferring sensitive information without errors or delays even while users interacted concurrently via voice chatting services built into WIFI like Skype etc.
It was no longer just a dream- WiFi brought people together like never before!
WiFi Comes Home
In those early years, however – home owners were left out in spite widespread desire pervasive amongst most households purchasing computer systems coming equipped with all right hardware necessities wanting Internet access too! Not only was there annoyance regarding tangled-up wires absent internet-speed reliability simply shocking — but also blatant nonchalance typical wired connectivity options forced onto new installs meant any upgrade requiring re-wiring similar effort changes led bit neglected inefficient modem months prior. Finally, it was a time for home users to rejoice in 1999 with invention Wifi technology gaining commercially viable traction.
The introduction of Wi-Fi to homes started small and gradually grew bigger over the next few years. During the early2000s, big companies like Cisco Systems added wireless adapters compatible between their devices—followed closely after by Dell who released their first line of notebooks designed specifically combined additional input devices supporting these adapters too – making WiFi-enabled computers a reality!
Other brands soon followed suit most notably Apple’s popular iBook whose debut almost single-handedly forced more switches from old cabled modems sockets across worldwide including into households as well used some public networks spots which advanced technicians called ‘hotspots.’
Before long businesses adapted this new tech alongside conventional infrastructure since often increased cost efficiency helped owners realizing bottom-line profits while competing against rivals aggressively marketing their own services national scale success. By late 2007 many U.S citizens had embraced WiFi sufficiently that they became endangered species wherein places where there was no signal strength people complained endlessly about not being able access social media platforms, videos or audio using portable smart phones anywhere–no Internet presence meant kept off grid essentially.
WiFi today: So much more than just browsing on laptops
Generally speaking in our current times everyone staying online via computers indicates changing your atypical habits!. The near universal adoption mobile infrastructure associated with greater consumer satisfaction helps guarantee faster speeds quality connections factoring for current needs expanded ancillary markets (such as security systems automation) where machines can communicate continuously without interruption becoming what prognosticators consider “internet of things.”
Wi-Fi networking has given birth to an entirely new era unparalled speed data transfer options conveniences never before experienced largely bypassing telecommunications-based solutions already getting left behind by rapidly innovating world around us so fast having become commonplace — we have those innovative geniuses back in Australia testing theoretical quantum computing networks capable total immunity hackers – teaming up communicating with other scientists universities globally will usher in a whole new era of wireless connectivity.
Conclusion
Wi-Fi has become an essential part of our everyday life, providing us with access to the Internet without the hassles of wires and cables. Its journey began in the early 1970s, but it was not until 1999 that this technology became commercially available for home users.
Since then, Wi-Fi has revolutionized modern communication as we know it today, making internet usage more accessible than ever before. Whether we need to work from home on our laptops or stream movies seamlessly on our smart TVs and smartphones – WiFi makes it all possible- just by connecting devices wirelessly over long distances!
As we step forward into what’s ensured advanced collaboration facilitated by revolutionary tech advances even greater possibilities lie seem likely – such as ‘no-tangle’ networking equipment through near-field communications becoming one next big norm alongside higher-speed data transfer rates through updates software drivers.
Ultimately consumers could see Wifi serving newer higher level capacities thanks innovations forthcoming Samsung-backed company Artemis SUES T-mobile AT&T for patent infringement upon groundbreaking solution affecting upcoming fifth generation (5G) cellular network hoping bypass traditional roadblocks faced past generations limitations imposed GPS radio waves — guaranteeing lightning fast reliable unbroken mobile experience anywhere anytime—all made possible only via Wifi user-friendly networks packed features make consumption like never before!