Final answer:
The term 'internet' is an abbreviation for 'interconnected network', and it operates through devices known as 'routers' or gateways that connect a network of computers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word 'internet' is a short form of the term 'interconnected network'. The internet is a network created by connecting computers through devices called 'routers' or gateways.
Although its initial development was part of military and academic research in the 1960s and 1970s, the Internet quickly expanded beyond these realms. The term itself symbolizes the massive network of networks that resulted from this expansion, initially serving as a tool for information sharing and communication within government and academic circles. It was during this time that standardized communications protocols were established, leading to the widespread adoption of the Internet.
As technology and networking evolved, devices known as modems and routers became integral in connecting computers to this growing network. Modems facilitated the connection over phone lines, while routers acted as critical gateways, directing data across the internet. The global infrastructure was markedly transformed by these developments, eventually ushering in a new era of communication, commerce, and content-sharing.