The Tym Before ...: The Untold Origins of Cloud Computing

Do you remember Tymnet? Whether you fondly recall or are hearing about it for the first time, this book is for you. Discover the fascinating story of Tymnet, the pioneering network that predated the Internet, significantly influencing its development, and laid the groundwork for today's cloud computing.

Long before the Internet became ubiquitous, Tymnet was paving the way. This book takes you on a journey through the history of this groundbreaking network, from its origins in the late 1960s to its influential role in shaping the modern Internet. Learn how Tymnet, with innovative time-sharing technology, enabled multiple remote users to interact with computers in real time, revolutionizing computing in an era dominated by single-task machines and batch processing.

Explore the Cold War origins of time-sharing and networking, and how companies like Tymshare offered early "cloud-based" applications through mechanical terminals and a time-shared computer network. Understand how Tymnet, beginning in 1968, marked the first commercial network services, paving the way for today's sophisticated cloud infrastructure.

Discover how Tymnet evolved over two decades, transitioning from mechanical to electronic terminals, and increasing connection speeds from the teleprinter's 110 bps to far faster, more capable interconnections. Learn about the collaborative efforts between Tymnet alumni and Internet pioneers that led to the commercialization of NSFNET, contributing to the creation of the Commercial Internet we rely on today.

Delve into the lesser-known side of the early Internet and uncover the technological advancements and historical context that led to the creation of the cloud services we now take for granted. This book is not merely a chronicle of the past; it's an educational journey through the technological breakthroughs that continue to shape our digital future.