Twenty-four people who designed and advanced the Internet as the global, world-changing platform that it is today will be inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. The Internet Hall of Fame was launched in 2012 by the Internet Society and this year’s ceremony will be held in Hong Kong on 8 April. Representing 13 countries, the 2014 class of inductees have pushed the boundaries of technological and social innovation to connect the world. Their trailblazing accomplishments are as broad and diverse as the Internet itself; expanding the Internet’s benefits into new regions and communities, and creating new technologies and standards that were foundational to the Internet’s development and expansion.
The Internet Hall of Fame celebrates Internet leaders and innovators from around the world who believe in the design and potential of an open Internet and, through their work, have helped change the way we live and work today. The 2014 inductees embody that vision:
Pioneers Circle – Recognizing individuals who were instrumental in the early design and development of the Internet:
- Douglas Engelbart (posthumous)
- Susan Estrada
- Frank Heart
- Dennis Jennings
- Rolf Nordhagen (posthumous)
- Radia Perlman
Innovators – Recognizing individuals who made outstanding technological, commercial, or policy advances and helped to expand the Internet’s reach:
Global Connectors – Recognizing individuals from around the world who have made significant contributions to the global growth and use of the Internet:
- Dai Davies
- Demi Getschko
- Masaki Hirabaru (posthumous)
- Erik Huizer
- Steven Huter
- Abhaya Induruwa
- Dorcas Muthoni
- Mahabir Pun
- Srinivasan Ramani
- Michael Roberts
- Ben Segal
- Douglas Van Houweling
“We all benefit today from the contributions of these individuals who helped shape the global Internet,” noted Internet Society CEO Kathy Brown. “They fearlessly forged into uncharted territory with innovative ideas, groundbreaking technologies, and collaborative work to connect more people and countries to the Internet. We are delighted to honor these inspiring leaders for their foresight, creativity, dedication, and achievements.”
The Internet Hall of Fame is sponsored by Afilias, http://afilias.info/, which connects the world with reliable, secure, scalable and globally available technology that makes Internet addresses more accessible and useful; and TeliaSonera International Carrier, http://www.teliasoneraic.com/, which owns and operates one of the world’s most extensive fiber backbones. Cathay Pacific Airways is the official airline of the 2014 Internet Hall of Fame.
The 2014 Internet Hall of Fame induction celebration will be hosted by the Internet Society’s Hong Kong Chapter, and held in conjunction with the International IT Fest 2014, organized by the Hong Kong Office of the Government Chief Information Officer.
“I am delighted that Hong Kong is the first city in the Asia Pacific region to host this prestigious event for the global Internet community. The Internet Hall of Fame celebrates pioneers of a technology which has transformed the way we live, work, and learn. With an extensive range of information resources and services, the Internet has made our world more productive, efficient and convenient. It promotes knowledge-sharing and global connectivity. The Internet also opens up seemingly endless possibilities for the future. Hong Kong people have embraced the Internet age as an integral and indispensable feature of our generation,” stated Mr. John Tsang, Financial Secretary, the Government of Hong Kong SAR.
The Internet Hall of Fame induction ceremony can be viewed via livestream: https://new.livestream.com/internetsociety/2014internethalloffame. More details on the 2014 Internet Hall of Fame inductees, including their biographies and photos, can be found at www.internethalloffame.org. You can follow the Internet Hall of Fame on Facebook and on Twitter at @Internet_HOF (#ihof2014).
About the Internet Hall of Fame
The Internet Hall of Fame (www.internethalloffame.org) is a recognition program and virtual museum that celebrates the living history of the Internet and the individuals whose extraordinary contributions have made the Internet, its worldwide availability and use, and its transformative nature possible. The Internet Hall of Fame was launched by the Internet Society in 2012.
About the Internet Society
The Internet Society (www.internetsociety.org) is the trusted independent source for Internet information and thought leadership around the world. With its principled vision and substantial technological foundation, the Internet Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and future development among users, companies, governments, and other organizations. Working with its members and Chapters around the world, the Internet Society enables the continued evolution and growth of the Internet for everyone.
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