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The 20th and 21st centuries included the rise of technology giants like cell phones, the internet, and social media. Each of these pieces of technology played a vital role in creating today’s network. This rise of technology can be seen as a series of steps, with the most significant moments in tech history building on each other.

Section 230 of the Communications Act

In 1996, this new law stated that online websites and applications could not be held legally responsible for their users’ content. This aided the rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Decrease in Internet Costs

Companies billed for services by the hour when the internet was first invented. This meant if a user spent a lot of time online, it cost them a fortune. In 1996, AT&T introduced a flat rate for the internet of $20 per month.

Development of Pay-Per-Click Advertising

When pay-per-click advertising was first developed in 2013, Bill Gross had the idea to charge companies to have their ad appear on the top of a google search. This was later carried over to third-company parties. The practice is still in use by Google today.

The Marriage of the Cell Phone and Camera

Few cell phone users can imagine their phone without its camera. The camera has become such an integral part of everyday phone use that many don’t remember a time without it. However, it wasn’t until 1997 that Philippe Kahn developed the idea for the digital phone camera.

The Rise of Gmail

Google released its email platform, Gmail, toward the beginning of April. It not only offered significantly more storage than desktop mail, but it also offered an instant search. This upgraded both Google’s platform and the capacity for email.

Today’s technology is built on a significant number of advances made in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Without these advancements, the technology people know today would not be the same. Not only did decreasing internet costs and new policies make digital expansion possible, but technological advances like the combination of a cell phone and camera made technology more functional.