As one of the "Fathers of the Internet," Vint Cerf is frequently mentioned alongside Bob Kahn. He was instrumental in the creation of the TCP/IP protocol suite, which serves as the basis for modern internet data transport.
In a late 1990s interview, Cerf predicted that commonplace objects would be online in the future. Even though he wasn't able to foresee every detail, his vision suggested that the world would become more and more connected to the internet. This concept is very similar to what we now refer to as the Internet of Things (IoT).
Consider every home appliance and mobile device as a boat traveling across the vast ocean that is the internet. According to Cerf, this ocean grew deeper and wider over time, eventually holding a large number of ships that symbolized different everyday gadgets. In addition to connecting computers, his prediction called for expanding connectivity to everyday objects.
His vision evolved in tandem with the internet. He predicted that by 2010, people would witness notable developments and the incorporation of mobile devices and internet-connected appliances into daily life. While some features, like self-driving cars and smart refrigerators, may have seemed futuristic at the time, many of them are now commonplace.
Cerf's observation emphasizes how everything can be connected to the internet, improving our convenience, productivity, and connectivity. His viewpoint has shaped our understanding of the role that technology plays in our daily lives and still motivates innovation in the tech sector today.