The first message ever sent over what is now called the Internet took place at 10:30PM on October 29, 1969. Back then, the Department of Defense called it ARPAnet (Advanced Research Projects Agency network).

1960s
The first workable prototype of the Internet came in the late 1960s with the creation of ARPANET, or the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. Originally funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, ARPANET used packet switching to allow multiple computers to communicate on a single network.

Introduction

The Internet, a global network of interconnected computers and devices, has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, its implementation and development have been a gradual process that took several decades. The correct answer to the question is option 'C' - the 1960s.

Explanation

1. The Birth of the Internet

The Internet's origins can be traced back to the 1960s when the United States Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) initiated a project called ARPANET. ARPANET aimed to create a decentralized network that could withstand a nuclear attack and maintain communication between military institutions.

2. ARPANET Development

During the late 1960s, researchers and scientists worked on developing the necessary technologies for ARPANET. Key milestones during this period include:

- In 1969, the first ARPANET node was established at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) became the second node. This marked the birth of the Internet.

- The initial network design used packet switching technology, which divided data into small packets for efficient transmission.

- In 1972, the first public demonstration of ARPANET was conducted at the International Computer Communication Conference.

3. Expansion and Development

During the 1970s and 1980s, the Internet continued to expand and evolve. Some significant developments include:

- The creation of various protocols and technologies such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) to standardize communication between different computer networks.

- The establishment of email as a popular means of communication and the introduction of the Domain Name System (DNS) to assign human-readable names to IP addresses.

- In the 1980s, the National Science Foundation (NSF) created NSFNET, a network that connected several universities and research institutions. This expansion laid the groundwork for the modern Internet.

4. Internet Accessibility

It is important to note that while the Internet was implemented in the 1960s, it was initially limited to academic and research institutions. It was not until the 1990s that the Internet became more accessible to the general public with the advent of commercial Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the World Wide Web.

Conclusion

In summary, the Internet was first implemented in the 1960s with the development of ARPANET. This project laid the foundation for the global network we know today. Subsequent advancements and expansions throughout the following decades led to the widespread accessibility and popularity of the Internet.