I suspect the time span and the phases depend on the "definition of Internet". If we think of it stricto sensu, that is IP based communications, there is one story. If we use the name in a more generic sense, as David Silver seems to be inclined to, we can go back to earlier attempts at wide, if not global, compunications, including Bitnet, Fidonet, Earnet, etc. etc. and many private/local endeavours in the academic and research as well as in the business worlds. It also depends what one wants to do with this chronology. If it is to understand the evolution of social transformation one may even look to look farther back. After all car traffic and retail are still following paths of old hippomobile traction. Michel