Evolution of Internet Technologies: From Web 1.0 to Web 3.0

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The first iteration of the world wide web, known as Web 1.0 or the Static read-only Web, was created in 1990 by computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee to meet the demand for information-sharing between institutes around the world and became a library of online brochures and information.

Three technologies introduced under Web 1.0 were HyperText Markup Language (HTML) - The formatting language used to structure a website; Uniform Resource Locator (URL) - A unique address to identify websites; and HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) - A machine-to-machine protocol to load websites using Hypertext links.

As the first websites were read-only, with no other way of interacting with the content, users were passive observers rather than active participants. The limitations were evident in the one-way flow of information as websites posted as Digital Billboards presenting information without encouraging or inviting feedback.  


With the arrival of  Web 2.0, the Social read-write Web, websites became more dynamic and facilitated the interaction between producers and users of the content through the introduction of multimedia applications like Facebook and Twitter.

More advanced technologies introduced under Web 2.0 were the upgraded HTML5 -The final version of this formatting language; Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) - A  programming language to enhance the style and layout of websites; and Javascript - A scripting language which fuses with HTML and CSS to create dynamic interactive websites and mobile applications.

Web 2.0 revolutionised online interactivity, user-generated content began to shape the digital landscape through the emergence of social media and online communities, users can now interact with the content, post comments, share their opinions and transact online.

Web 3.0, the Decentralised read-write-executable Web, is the anticipated next generation of the world wide web. In this era computers will interpret data and information through machine learning technologies that mimic human intelligence.  

Instead of being found through a URL on an individual server, information will become decentralised based on its content and simultaneously stored in different locations. This effect will give ownership rights to users and more content control which will affect the massive databases currently held by internet giants such as Google and Meta.

As an open source software Web 3.0 will provide a secure channel allowing users to interact directly without going through platforms that currently hold and manage your personal data like Google and Facebook. Users have no right to remove the advertisements displayed on these platforms unless they are removed through a paid subscription, Web 3.0 will enable peer-to-peer interaction with the users of the content through new gateways like Brave Browser that block annoying privacy invading advertisements and trackers.

Blockchain is a shared database which stores data in blocks linked together via cryptography that enables transparent recording transactions and is commonly known for its use in cryptocurrency systems.

Smart contracts for automated transactions are self-executing agreements run on blockchain that automate processes when predefined conditions are met. This eliminates intermediaries, streamlines transactions, and epitomises the future innovations to come from Web 3.0.

Web 3 transparency provided through Blockchain has the potential to transform supply chain management. Blockchain ensures that every step in a products journey is recorded through immutable data making it easier to track and verify the condition of products as they flow through the supply chain.

Enter the Metaverse

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