In the previous posting I talked about some of the first domains registered after the Domain Name System (DNS) was created in 1984. What a perfect opportunity I thought to do a quasi-follow up to that entry.
While re-reading that post I started wondering what some of those old web sites looked like back then when I realized it would actually be much more fun to take a look at a few of today’s more popular sites looking back. Thanks to the Internet Archive (Wayback Machine) let’s take a stroll down memory lane.
We begin with the internet powerhouse Google. This is what http://www.google.com looked like on 02 Dec 1998. (click to enlarge)
Speaking of powerhouses up next is Microsoft. This is how http://www.microsoft.com appeared on 22 Oct 1996. (click to enlarge)
At one time Yahoo! was a fierce competitor of Google. This is how http://www.yahoo.com appeared on 17 Oct 1996. (click to enlarge)
Switching gears for a bit I think one of our fondest memories as a child growing up was the family trip to the local McDonalds. This is how http://www.mcdonalds.com appeared on 10 Nov 1996. (click to enlarge)
I’ve owned many vehicles over the course of my life and I’d have to say my all time favourite is the Chevy half-ton. This is how http://www.gm.com appeared on 26 Jan 1998. (click to enlarge)
Returning to the web/tech field we take a look at technology giant IBM and how its web site http://www.ibm.com appeared on 22 Oct 1996. (click to enlarge)
Sticking with technology we come to Xerox. This is how http://www.xerox.com appeared on 22 Oct 1996. (click to enlarge)
Everyone loves a good auction. Even a cyber-auction. Yes it’s none other than eBay. This is how http://www.ebay.com appeared on 01 Dec 1998. (click to enlarge)
And finally, what fun would it be using the Internet Archive without seeing how the Internet Archive itself appeared yesteryear. From 11 Oct 1997 this is http://web.archive.org (click to enlarge)
About Len