# The Dawn of Search Engines: A Journey Through the Internet's Formative Years
### Introduction
In a world where information is just a click away, it's hard to imagine a time when searching for answers was a daunting task. However, this wasn't always the case. In this special episode from the Understood feed at CBC podcasts, we delve into the fascinating story of how search engines came to be. Hosted by renowned author and hacker advocate Cory Doctorow, "Who Broke the Internet" is a four-part series that explores the state of the modern internet and what we can do about it.
### The Early Days of Search Engines
The journey of search engines began in the 1990s, a time when the internet was still in its infancy. During this period, people relied heavily on manual searches using online directories like Yahoo! or AltaVista. However, these methods were time-consuming and often yielded irrelevant results.
Enter the pioneers who sought to revolutionize the way we searched for information. One such individual was Eric Corley, also known as Emmanuel Goldstein, a well-known hacker and publisher of 2600 magazine. In an interview with Cory Doctorow, Corley discussed how he developed his own search engine, called "JST" (Just Search The web), which aimed to provide more accurate results by using a combination of natural language processing and indexing algorithms.
### Google's Rise to Prominence
Fast forward to the late 1990s, when Sergey Brin and Larry Page, two Stanford University Ph.D. students, began working on a search engine project. They called it "Google," which is a playful reference to the mathematical term for finding a value in a list of results. Google's algorithm was revolutionary, using PageRank to rank web pages based on their relevance and authority.
In an interview with Cory Doctorow, Steven Levy, author of the book "In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes our Lives," discussed how Google's approach transformed the way people searched for information online. Levy highlighted how Google's focus on relevance and user experience helped establish it as a leader in the search engine market.
### The Impact of Search Engines on Society
As search engines became more powerful and accessible, they began to shape the way we consume information. Cory Doctorow argued that this shift has both positive and negative consequences. On one hand, search engines have democratized access to information, allowing people from all over the world to connect with each other and share knowledge.
On the other hand, the algorithmic nature of search engines can lead to echo chambers, where users are only exposed to content that confirms their existing beliefs. This raises important questions about the role of search engines in shaping our understanding of reality.
### Conclusion
The dawn of search engines marks a significant turning point in the history of the internet. From its humble beginnings as a manual search engine to the sophisticated algorithms used by Google today, the journey has been marked by innovation and disruption.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of the modern internet, it's essential to reflect on the impact of search engines on our society. By understanding the evolution of these powerful tools, we can work towards creating a more informed and engaged citizenry.
Listen to more of the podcast here: [link]
### Related Episodes
* The hack that almost broke the internet * Sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money * Subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. * Music by Drop Electric.