How the Internet Began

This is a very brief history of the first days of network communications, in celebration of National Internet Day, Oct. 29.

ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) was the first operational wide-area packet-switched computer network and the direct technical forerunner of the modern Internet.

Established in the late 1960s by the DARPA (then known as ARPA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense.

First Nodes: Went live in October 1969, connecting four initial university and research laboratories: UCLA, Stanford Research Institute (SRI), the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the University of Utah.

First Message: On Oct. 29, 1969, a programmer at UCLA attempted to type the word “login” to a computer at Stanford, though the system crashed after transmitting just the letters “Lo”.

Core Technology: Built on decentralized packet-switching concepts and Interface Message Processors (IMPs) designed by Bolt Beranek and Newman (BBN). It originally used the Network Control Program (NCP) before officially transitioning to TCP/IP on January 1, 1983.

Decommissioning: Split into ARPANET and MILNET (for military use) in 1984. ARPANET was officially decommissioned in 1990 after being superseded by networks like NSFNET.

This information will appear in our SUNDAY SCANNER, Issue #2643 for the Week of Oct. 25-31, 2026.

Infographic detailing the beginnings of the Internet, celebrating National Internet Day. It includes information about ARPANET, its establishment in the late 1960s, the first message sent in 1969, the core technology involving packet-switching, and the decommissioning of ARPANET.

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Thursday Oct 29 2026 - Scanner News - Panhandle Scanner News

What were you doing on this day in history 57 years ago? It was October 29, 1969, when the first electronic message was sent over a computer system once known as ARPANET, now known as the Internet or World Wide Web. (although it crashed the system after two letters) According to Scanner Traffic, at approximately 12.15 p.m. on Monday the 26th, the Scottsbluff Fire Department was dispatched to Rincon Latino at 1002 East Overland after dispatch received a third-party report of a gas leak within the commercial building. The Scottsbluff Fire Department confirmed that Engine 1, 3 and Scottsbluff 2 were assigned to the call. Upon arrival, crews made entry into the building and noted an obvious strong smell of natural gas. Due to the levels within the building, occupants were evacuated and Black Hills Energy was contacted. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that the leak had started Sunday evening, however, it had not been called in until Monday by a customer. Due to the levels, the gas was shut off to the building and ventilated, and the store manager was advised a pressure test would need to be completed, and the leak resolved prior to the gas getting turned back on. We join the Scottsbluff Fire Department in reminding everyone that if you smell natural gas, do not delay. Report it immediately and evacuate if necessary. Please note, it is not normal to smell natural gas and should never be ignored. And don't forget our very popular growing public record, every day Monday through Friday when available on Panhandle Scanner. That's going to do it for today's scanner news. Thanks again for listening and may God bless. I'm Brian Hale.

Don't Fear Be Certain (Certainty in Times of Uncertainty) Day 5 - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

From Certainty In Times of Uncertainty by Dave Villa There is a fire within all of us that is waiting to be ignited. A fire that grows and can spread to those around you if you continue to feed it’s flames. This fire is stronger than the uncertainty that you may be feeling. It has the power to overcome the negativity that may be surrounding you right now. That fire, that passion, that inner strength was instilled in you by God himself. A passion to do what you were made to do, whatever that may be. An inner strength to persevere and come out on top regardless of your opposition. “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV I might be uncertain about what tomorrow will bring, but I’m certain that I need to make things happen today. I may be uncertain about how I’m going to reach my goals, but I’m certain on what my goals are. I’m uncertain on HOW I will be successful, but I am CERTAIN that I will be successful. I’m sure of it. My mind has been made up. My God has provided me with the tools necessary to see my dreams come to fruition. He has watched over me since my creation and His will prevails every time. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV I’m not sure how I will make it out. But I’m sure. I don’t know when I will accomplish my goals, but I know that they will be accomplished. I am certain of it. Whatever you’re going through is no match for the Lord. Whatever pain, fear, frustration, stress, anxiety, or uncertainty is made CERTAIN through Jesus Christ. In times of uncertainty, don’t be afraid. Be certain.

Fear of the Future (Certainty in Times of Uncertainty) Day 3 - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

From Certainty In Times of Uncertainty by Dave Villa We cannot always be certain of what is going to happen. There is no telling what the future will bring to anyone. We can make educated guesses. We can make assumptions. We can try to notice patterns and figure it out, but no one knows what tomorrow will bring. All we have is today. And today is enough. “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ” 1 Peter 5:7 ESV You have survived every bad day so far. Every circumstance and setback. You are undefeated. You’ve seen seemingly insurmountable situations before, and you have faced terrifying opponents who seemed to have the advantage, and yet you have come out the victor. In times of uncertainty, we choose to be certain. We have certainty not in our circumstances and situations but in our God, who provides for and protects us. Certainty – Firm conviction that something is the case. The quality of being reliably true. A fact that is definitely true or an event that is definitely going to take place. Uncertainty – The state of being uncertain. Something that is uncertain or that causes one to feel uncertain. Uncertainty says, “I don’t know what my future holds.” Certainty says, “I know who holds my future!” To be without Christ is to be without peace. To be uncertain. Every person has a conscience within them, which must be satisfied before they can truly be happy. There is only one thing that can give peace to the conscience, and that is being in the right relationship with God. Fight for what matters most to you. Fight for your faith. Fight for your family. Fight for your life. Don’t allow negativity and uncertainty to take up room in your mind. God is STILL in the blessing business. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 ESV It’s time that we evict uncertainty and make way for certainty. Negativity has overstayed it’s welcome and positivity is moving back in! We need to introduce an uncertain world to a certain Jesus.

Fact or Fiction (Certainty in Times of Uncertainty) Day 2 - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

From Certainty In Times of Uncertainty by Dave Villa In the digital age, information is provided to us faster than ever. You can Google anything you’d like, and you could read about that topic for weeks. With the click of your mouse, or the tap of your finger, you can learn all that you need to know about anything. While this should be a positive aspect of the time we live in, it isn’t always. With an abundance of information comes an abundance of misinformation. News that has been so sensationalized that we can no longer tell what’s real and what isn’t. The line between fact and opinion has been blurred by journalists and news stations who aren’t seeking the truth like you and I. They’re seeking ratings. When people are fearful, they will turn on the news. They want to either be comforted or informed on that which they are afraid of. Yet, too often do we take the word of man for fact. We read and listen and assume that whatever has been written or told to us is real, never thinking that the sources we are checking may also be misinformed. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ” John 14:27 ESV The only TRUTH that we know is that Jesus Christ died for our sins. The only truth that we know has been fact-checked, cited, and sourced, is that God will be there for the start and the finish. For the open and the close. He is the author and the editor, and his word is final. There is nothing to sensationalize. There is no truth which God has not yet uncovered. I’m not telling you to stop reading the news. To stop trusting those around you. What I am telling you is that regardless of what has been written, regardless of what has been reported, God already knows. God’s plans for you do not change because of the actions of men. God’s plans are unwavering, and not contingent on what is going on around us. “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 94:19 ESV In times of uncertainty, God is certain. While our plans may fall through and change, the plan that the Lord has in store for us will be carried out.

The Plague of Negativity (Certainty in Times of Uncertainty) Day 1 - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

From Certainly in Times of Uncertainty by Dave Villa Every day, people all over the world turn their tv on and watch the news. Global events are discussed on nearly every channel. Negativity is all over the internet. Magazines and Newspapers, while not as popular as they once were, are still found in abundance. And the fear and negativity is still found in abundance, as well. You can’t avoid it. It’s in our faces 24/7. Negativity is a plague. But what do we do? We turn up the volume. We click on the link. We flip to the next page. And we allow this negativity to permeate our minds. We worry about whatever ongoing war there is, whatever new disease is being spread, whatever the stock markets are doing. Why do we do this? What is our fascination with this type of information? We are fearful. It is no secret that there is a large amount of darkness in this world, ready to pull those willing to listen under its grasp. But there is also a lot of light. And, where there is light, darkness cannot prevail. “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV The light that has always shined on me in my darkest times has been the word of God. Because regardless of what situation you find yourself in, the Bible will walk you through the steps in order to get through it. Financial crisis, issues in your marriage or relationship, problems at work, at school, global catastrophes, they pale in comparison to the Lord, and to eternity. Your Bible is your source of never-ending light. Even in the darkest of rooms, when a lamp is turned on, the light drives that darkness away. Even in the face of adversity, amidst tragedies and uncertainties, the light that the Lord shines on us still triumphs. There is nothing greater. There is nothing brighter. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 ESV Amidst darkness, I choose to reach out towards the light. To allow it to shine on my spirit and to lead the way to better days.

Failure is Not Final (Certainty in Times of Uncertainty) Day 4 - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

From Certainty In Times of Uncertainty by Dave Villa Things don’t always go according to our plans, but they will always adhere to the plans of the Lord. Life, however, is not lived without any bumps in the road. Failure is not found within these bumps, it is found when we allow these bumps to stop us in our tracks. Don’t become so discouraged in the delays that you give up on the pursuit of your purpose. We cannot control what happens to us, we can only control our response to it. Pastor Charles R. Swindoll once said that life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you react to it. Your mindset is a powerful thing. I believe that people who are successful aren’t successful because they are more talented or even more skilled. Successful people are successful because they have a mindset for success even during failure. “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30 ESV We must trust the process, even when the journey gets rocky. God is developing you for the plan that He has created for you to live out. God puts us through what I call “stretching seasons” to prepare us mentally for the destination that we are heading towards. “ Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”” Hosea 6:3 ESV Having certainty in times of uncertainty does not mean turning a blind eye to what’s going on around you. It doesn’t mean that you won’t have feelings of fear, we’re only human. It means that we, as followers of Christ, choose to have faith among the fear and negativity that may surround us. It means that even with fear in our minds, we know that the Lord will provide us with whatever we need to carry on. In times of uncertainty, your Bible is certain. God is sure. Jesus has made his mind up. You see, we may live in a limited world but we serve a limitless God.