Even though so much of our world is now wireless, most of those beautiful signals are still made possible by a worldwide network of hardwired cables — from the huge backbones of internet service providers to the ethernet lines in people’s homes. The cables that connect continents under the ocean alone span a length of more than 700,000 miles. Just 50 years after the invention of ethernet, our planet Earth is now literally wrapped in the embrace of the internet. It’s the cord that can’t be cut.
World wired
On ethernet’s 50th anniversary, we’re taking a look at how wiring the entire planet has changed the future forever.
Illustration by Hugo Herrera for The Verge
This special issue from The Verge takes a look at the impact ethernet has had on our world on its 50th birthday. In partnership with the Computer History Museum, we’re reflecting on the origins and consequences of this incredible technology. From LAN parties to Facebook and every other modern platform that now pervades our society, none of it would have been possible without the invention of the one port that rules them all.
Net neutrality may be at a low point, but the fight will last as long as we’re connected by technology.
Verge Staff
Metaphors from the 1990s like ‘information superhighway’ have proven surprisingly persistent, taking on new forms and meanings. Metaphors like ‘the cloud’ are explaining newer parts of the web and subtly telling us how the internet ought to be used.
Josh Dzieza
There’s nothing quite like a hardwired gigabit ethernet connection. Well, actually, there is.
Nathan Edwards
Before TikTok and semiconductors, the US was fighting a war against Chinese telecom. What happened?
Makena Kelly
From Hackers to the X-Files, being online has long been depicted as a deliberate, physical act on screen.
Alexis Ong
Watch the full documentary now.
William Poor
Verge staff members look back at their first cozy networks, and we hope you’ll join us.
Verge Staff
Getting one together could be Sisyphean, but the payoff was everything.
Wes Davis
The modern smart home was built on the 2.4GHz frequency, but is it time to move to a different Thread?
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Net neutrality may be at a low point, but the fight will last as long as we’re connected by technology.
Verge Staff
Metaphors from the 1990s like ‘information superhighway’ have proven surprisingly persistent, taking on new forms and meanings. Metaphors like ‘the cloud’ are explaining newer parts of the web and subtly telling us how the internet ought to be used.
Josh Dzieza
There’s nothing quite like a hardwired gigabit ethernet connection. Well, actually, there is.
Nathan Edwards
Before TikTok and semiconductors, the US was fighting a war against Chinese telecom. What happened?
Makena Kelly
From Hackers to the X-Files, being online has long been depicted as a deliberate, physical act on screen.
Alexis Ong
Watch the full documentary now.
William Poor
Verge staff members look back at their first cozy networks, and we hope you’ll join us.
Verge Staff
Getting one together could be Sisyphean, but the payoff was everything.
Wes Davis
The modern smart home was built on the 2.4GHz frequency, but is it time to move to a different Thread?
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy