Who on earth invented the world wide web?
By Liam Deveney & JMU Journalism reporters
YouTube: 2004 Millennium Technology Prize Winner, Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web
His invention revolutionised so many ways in which we live our lives, but the man who gave us the World Wide Web is far from being a household name.
The web, for most people, has become an integral part of everyday existence, but JMU Journalism has gathered compelling evidence to suggest that the genius behind its creation, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, is an unheralded and practically unknown figure amongst the public.
We asked 451 people on the streets of Liverpool: "Do you know who invented the web?", and an overwhelming 92% of those polled could not name Sir Tim Berners-Lee. Only 37 (8%) knew the identity of the London-born computer scientist, with 43 guessing the web was the work of either Microsoft or its co-founder Bill Gates, and 11 believing credit was due to the late Steve Jobs, of Apple fame.
Despite being voted one of the 20th Century’s most influential people by Time Magazine, Sir Tim, the Oxford graduate who changed the world, is still largely anonymous, and not a member of the 'computer geek' billionaire club, as many might expect.
Berners-Lee's decision not to patent or copyright his invention -
essentially giving it to humanity to use for free - raised many
eyebrows when this fact was revealed to the public. A consistent
theme which emerged during JMU Journalism's research was
the surprise expressed at such a gesture.
Linda Booth, who lives in Liverpool, said: "I'm shocked I don't
know. I make a living from the web and I don't even know who
created it. I can't believe he gave it away for free."
Josh Gardner, from Preston, said: "I think it's peculiar that he didn't
want any copyright for his invention, considering how incredible the
invention is. He could have eventually earned millions at least, but
perhaps he thought it was some kind of gift to the world." Others
were more unkind, calling Berners-Lee "stupid" and "an idiot".
Liverpudlian Benjamin Wilson, one of the few people who did know
his identity, argued that Sir Tim - who now lives in Boston, America -
could not have envisaged the enormous impact his invention would
have. He said: "I doubt back then he knew how big it would be, or
how much money it could make."
The World Wide Web is the platform on which we enjoy today's phenomena such as YouTube, Google, Facebook, and Twitter. It enables users to access documents, pictures, videos etc by using a web browser - such as Internet Explorer or Safari - over an existing linked computer system known as the internet, which was developed in the 1960s by several American scientists and the US government.
Although the web and the internet are terms which are commonly used interchangeably, the two are separate but related entities, though the distinctions are perhaps better explained by others.
When Berners-Lee suggested the original idea of the web to his boss at Geneva-based particle physics laboratory CERN in 1989, he received just tentative encouragement, with feedback stating: "Vague, but exciting." Undeterred, Sir Tim persevered, and CERN launched the first ever website on August 6th, 1991.
He surely could not have known it at the time, but Berners-Lee had altered the course of human history.
Sir Tim, now 56, once said of his own creation: "Most people have several groups of friends but the web allows you to be part of a group that is not geographically close. You can talk to somebody in a tiny village on the other side of the world, where they have a different culture, and find you have something in common. I think it's a good thing. It promotes human understanding, it encourages world peace."
Scroll through the comments box below to read views gathered in the city centre in our poll about Sir Tim.
Additional reporting by: Alexandra Allen; Patrick Arnold; Ryan Aujla; Bethany Avison; Jessica Ball; Leanne Bates; Laura Beddows; Lewis Bell; Jack Birch; Abigail Bramhall; Gemma Brezinski; Poppy Burns; Claire Bynoe; Lucia Campolucci-Bordi; Liberty Chrismas; Stephen Corbett; Lauren Cordelle; Elen Crean; Karl Cryer; Christopher Cunningham; Alisha Daya; Michael Deburca; Chantal Dickinson; Niall Dudley; Aidan Dunlop; Bill Evans; Daniel Gibson; Kerryleigh Gough; Aimee Hamilton; Helen Healy; Nadine Higham; Jack Horrocks; Michael Houghton; Hollie Howitt; Ida Husoy; Aimee Jones; Lisa Jones; Lisa Kerr; Chelsie Kirman; Damian Leonard; Jennifer Letford; Jessica MacDonald; Jack Maguire; Jade Masri; Tito May; Kirsty McColgan; Nathan McRae; Ryan McElroy; Paul McIntyre; Sarah Mee; Harriet Midgley; Hazel Miller; Loren Mitchell; Georgina Moore; Duncan Moores; Hannah Newman-Jones; Callum Newton; Nathan Pearce; Ian Pemberton; Lauren Percy; Julianna Petkovich; Nathan Potter; Shannyn Quinn; Sarah Raynard; Claire Reid; Rachael Roberts; James Routledge; Nicholas Seddon; William Shaw; Gemma Sherlock; James Truesdale; Jessica Watters; Joshua Weale; Bethany Wells; & Victoria Wilson-Parry.
More people we polled guessed Bill Gates or Microsoft invented the web than those who gave the correct answer
JMU Journalism asks Liverpool: "Do you know who invented the World Wide Web?"
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Comments
“I really don’t know. I don’t see how he could have copyrighted it even if he’d wanted to.”
“I haven’t got a clue who it was, I’ve never heard of that guy. Why did he give it away for free? That seems stupid to me.”
“No I’m not sure who it was. It doesn’t surprise me he gave it away for free because most of the internet’s free isn’t it?”
“Yeah actually I do know who it is, Tim Berners-Lee isn’t it? I didn’t know that he gave it away for free though.”
“I have no idea, is that Steve Jobs anything to do with it? I wouldn’t have given it away for free.”
“I think it was an American guy wasn’t it? I should probably know more about him.”
“No I don’t know who invented the web. I guess it’s surprising that he didn’t ask for anything for it.”
"No, but it's a great tool but it's too easily abused by naughty people."
"No, but yet the worldwide web is really useful."
"No, I don't. I can't remember the name but I read about it the other day. He's from the UK isn't he? That's quite interesting."
"I don't. No, I am completely computer illiterate."
"No. It's a pity that the worldwide web is used for some bad things."
"No, but the worldwide web is the most amazing thing but dangerous at the same time."
"I don't know. It surprises me that he's from the UK!"
“I haven’t a clue. I think he should have more recognition, people should be aware of this kind of thing anyway.”
"No idea, it’s probably the military now that I think about it. I think it’s surprising considering how prevalent it is today."
“Don't know, I guess he’s a very rich man? Wasn’t it some guy with a patent for www.? I was sure that there was someone with a patent.”
“It’s a few people wasn’t it? Yeah, well I guess he didn’t think it was gonna take off, no one thought that Google would take off.”
“I don’t know, I’m sure I’ve read about it recently. He should have more recognition because it’s one of the biggest parts of our daily lives.”
"No I haven’t got a clue. That’s pretty mad that is, actually. You’d expect everyone to know that, he’s someone who has created something so major."
“Don't know. So he made it for free? That was very nice of him, can you imagine if we got charged to use it?”
“I don’t know, it’s a tough question. Yeah considering how many people use it and how many lives have changed. He could have more money than Bill Gates if he charged for it."
"No, no, I haven’t got a clue. I’m a little bit surprised, yeah.”
“No clue, it’s a bit shocking and it’s a bit unfair, he should have more recognition.”
“Ah what's his name, he has glasses. Bill Gates I thought it was. I thought it was the guy who created the Google thing. I didn’t know who it was.”
“I don't know, I was looking actually yesterday. Most people wouldn’t believe that something so large could be created by one man. Kind of like Facebook.”
"I don't know. TIim Berners-Lee... his name doesn't ring a bell. Its never something I thought of, it's something I've taken for granted."
"Oh its Tim Berners-Lee, I would like to say I already knew it but I think I saw it on television. I bet if he had charged for the web people would know his name"
"I think it was Bill Gates. I've never heard of Tim Berners-Lee. It is weird that I don't know who he is, I guess I never thought about it."
"I have no idea, if I was to make a guess I'd say it was a creation of Apple or Microsoft. I have never heard of Tim Berners-Lee."
"I don't know. When you think about it, it is surprising that I don't know. Its something I use in my everyday life and I don't know who invented it."
"I have no idea. To be honest with you I had never really thought about it. If I had to say someone I'd assume Bill Gates or Steve Jobs."
"Tim Berners-Lee. Its just one of those random facts I know. Yes I am surprised more people don't know, he gave a lot."
“No I didn’t know who invented the web. Is it the man from Apple? Was there a reason for him not to copyright it? A very good invention then.”
“Yes, but I can’t remember his name. I thought it was an artistic invention, the web.”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t surprise me that he didn’t copyright it in them days, probably would do now."
"I have no idea! I didn't realise he'd just given it for free and with no copyright. Hats off to him!"
"No. I think he should have some sort of award or recognition for that! He gave it to us for free after all."
"No. Who would've thought a British guy could come up with something so great and expect nothing for it?"
"Microsoft? I don't know really. I think I've always taken the web being free for granted. That's quite amazing that he doesn't charge at all."
"No. I'd never thought to look it up. It's quite strange really 'cause I use it every day! He should get more credit!"
"No. He should be more famous than he is! Surely that's one of the world's best inventions!"
"Don't know, but I think SOPA and PIPA are a joke and are going to cause far more harm than good. The average user will protest and it's going to cause heaps of trouble."
“No I don’t really know, I think it might have been Mr Google. I do think the man who created the web should be recognised for his hard work considering we use it every day.”
“Yes it’s that man Tim Berners-Lee. The only reason I know that is because I work with computers. If I was him I would have sold it for billions.”
“No. Who is he? I suppose there are already companies charging for us to use the web so it’s not really fair on Tim Berners-Lee and that he doesn’t get any money for it.”
“No, I would have to Google it to find out. I didn’t know it was Tim Berners-Lee but I would have kept hold of the invention until computer technology became more advanced.”
“No I don’t know. I wouldn’t have done what he did though. I actually thought it was Microsoft who thought of the web and created it."
“No, I don’t have a clue who invented the web but I would have made my millions out of it definitely, rather than just giving it away for free.”
“No I don’t know. I don’t even know who he is. I would have sold it depending on how big I thought it would be.”
“No. Yeah it does because www represents the web so I would have thought that the man’s name would have begun with a W.”
“Yes, Tim somebody. The name doesn’t surprise me but his lack of exposure to fame surprises me as it’s such a widely used tool.”
“No. No, I’ve got no real interest to be perfectly honest with you, it works like.”
“No idea. Maybe because his name isn’t in his invention like Ford was invented by Henry Ford. It’s easier to remember.”
“I’ve never heard the name. It’s quite shocking; I’m surprised I’ve never heard of him.”
“No. Yeah he should be more known maybe.”
“No. It’s a bit unfair, in the era of, you know, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and stuff that he’s not widely known.”
“No, I have been alive and watched the web change the world and always presumed that it must’ve been a profiteering venture, evidently I was wrong. I’m quite proud now to know that at least someone in the world who has had a genuine influence on everyday life of most people isn’t profiting from it.”
"No, it’s odd to hear in this day and age that you get anything for free, let alone something particularly as important and influential as the web.”
“No, I use the web every day and it has crossed my mind that the person who invented it must be a ‘fat cat’ but for him to give it away for free I’m genuinely surprised.”
“No, for free? Really? That’s amazing for an invention as important as that, a lot of people have profited from what he has given away. It’s amazing that he makes no profit from his invention.”
“Yes, I did some research about him during A-Levels and thought what he did was amazing, both in terms of work and in terms of his willingness to give the web away for free.”
“Yes, his contribution to society really is huge, I think most people I know use the web every day as do I and we take for granted what he gave us.”
"No, the fact he gave it away for free amazes me. We probably wouldn’t be as advanced, in terms of the internet, as we are without this free contribution.”
“Yes, I use the web almost every day, did Lord Sugar invent it? I’m very surprised by that, I’ve never heard of him. That was generous of him not to copyright it, it’s bad we take it for granted and I didn’t even know who he was.”
“Yes I use the internet all the time for work. Is it that man who just died who invented it? That’s really surprising actually, it’s a good idea to give it to the world for free and I imagine it helped a lot of people stay in touch who couldn’t afford mobile phones.”
“Yes, I do use the web. I don’t know who invented it, maybe an old scientist from like the 1950s. Yes, that’s very surprising. I’m glad he’s British, but I’m shocked he didn’t copyright it with an idea like that.”
“Do I use it, yes, but I could I tell you who invented it, no. I’m surprised that he’s British, I would have assumed he would be American for some reason.”
“Yes I use the web and I know it wasn’t Steve Jobs who invented it so I don’t actually have a clue. Wow, that’s the first time I’ve heard that. I use the web every day, I should know that really.”
“No, I don’t know who invented the web, I could guess it was Steve Jobs but I’m not entirely sure. I’m very surprised at that, I’m shocked that I didn’t know that.”
“Yes I use the web a lot, I have no idea who invented it though. Yes, that surprises me quite a bit, he was very generous and selfless with an idea like that.”
"Tim-what? I would never have guessed that. Fair play to him."
"No, I thought some American would have invented it to be honest."
"Yes, it always surprises me when people don't know him. He changed our world."
"No, I had heard it wasn't Bill Gates, but I never knew who the actual guy was."
"No, I've never heard of him, was it not Bill Gates?"
"Nope, I thought it was Steve jobs, quite a shame really."
"No, I know I wouldn't give it out for free, I can tell you that much."
"No. I'm not very good with computers, so that man must be very clever because I presume he's around my age or even older."
"Nah,fair play to him. One of those silent brain boxes by the sounds of it."
"No. That's quite suprising the guy could be a millionaire, very generous of him I suppose, but still stupid. I wouldn't have done that."
"Who? Never heard of the man. Sounds a bit confusing. Didn't know there was a difference between the web and the internet."
"No, I heard he was British but didn't know his name, suppose he deserves the knighthood then."
"No I never knew. Poor guy should be more famous than he is."
"Nope never even thought about it. Just something you take for granted I suppose."
“I don’t have a clue who invented the web but I would have sold it for money. Everyone knows the Apple man and the Facebook founder. I suppose the youth should know more than I do.”
“Sorry no, I don’t know who he is. I would have sold the web for millions and bought an island. The technology that Tim Berners-Lee created started the internet we use today.”
“I thought it was the Americans who invented the web. But I would have sold it and not given it away for free.”
“No I don’t know who he is and I feel guilty for not knowing who he is. I would have sold it off to the highest bidder.”
“I have no idea who it was, was it Bill Gates? I would definitely have kept it and sold it on for millions.”
“I’m completely computer illiterate so I don’t know who he is but I would have sold it as it would save me sitting here selling fruit and veg.”
“No, I didn’t know who Tim Berners-Lee was. I would have got people to pay for it and hold onto my invention.”
“I don’t have a clue. I think because it’s so big now and it has created so many jobs he should have some recognition.”
“I think it was Bill Gates. I would have secured it and made money but he’s a good man for giving it away for free.”
“I wouldn’t know who invented the web but I would have sold it. Not for a lot though because it was about 20 years ago.”
“I don’t have a clue. It has made so much money and it would make me rich. It surprises me not many know who he is considering we use it every day.”
“No I don’t have a clue but I would have copyrighted it to make money, otherwise you’re not making money from something you made.”
“I don’t know who invented the web but I would have definitely sold it and then I wouldn’t be walking around in the rain.”
“I think it was the man who worked for the American Military, but I don’t know his name. I would have given it away for free though.”
“No, I’ve never heard of him. Anybody who gave us such a world changing thing without any financial gain deserves more recognition. It makes you proud to be British.”