Home / Technology / Internet Pioneer David Farber, 91, Dies
Internet Pioneer David Farber, 91, Dies
14 Feb
Summary
- He trained students who became fathers of the Internet Protocol.
- Farber's 1977 paper predicted computing and telecom convergence.
- He guided Arpanet expansion and policy for online communication.
David J. Farber, a distinguished computer networks professor and policy adviser, has died at the age of 91. He passed away on February 7th in Tokyo, where he had been teaching at Keio University since 2018.
Often referred to as the "grandfather of the internet," Farber's career began in the mid-1950s when computers were isolated. He guided students who became instrumental in developing the Internet Protocol (IP), the fundamental rules governing data packet exchange online. His mentorship was crucial for foundational advancements.
Farber co-authored a seminal 1977 paper, "The Convergence of Computing and Telecommunications Systems," predicting how digital computers would revolutionize communication. This insight helped secure funding for the Arpanet, a precursor to the modern internet, connecting hundreds of universities and research labs.
His work extended beyond technical development to policy. Farber advised the federal government and sat on boards for organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He believed the greater challenge after linking computers was facilitating human interaction online.
