How TCP/IP became the invisible foundation of the modern internet

The modern internet traces its origins to the early 1970s, when two researchers set the stage for global connectivity. Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf developed the core systems that still power online communication today. Their work introduced the protocols that allow computers to find each other and share information across vast distances. Kahn and Cerf created two key technologies: the Internet Protocol (IP) and the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). The IP acts like a digital address system, pinpointing where each device sits within the worldwide network. Without it, computers would struggle to locate one another.

TCP works alongside IP by setting the rules for how data travels between two connected machines. Together, these protocols ensure messages arrive intact and in the correct order. Their combined system—TCP/IP—remains the backbone of the internet over 50 years later. Today, platforms like this one rely on the same foundational principles. Kim Rixecker, who leads the Software & Development team, helps maintain the technical infrastructure behind the website. Beyond development, Rixecker also steps in as editor-in-chief on duty once a week, overseeing content planning and coordination for online publication.

The internet’s early architecture continues to shape how billions of devices communicate daily. Kahn and Cerf’s protocols remain embedded in every online interaction, from sending emails to loading web pages. Meanwhile, teams like Rixecker’s ensure these systems adapt to the demands of a constantly evolving digital landscape.