1993: A Decision That Helped the Web Grow
A tool for sharing scientific information became something people around the world could build on.
Estimated CEFR reading level: B1. A connected historical explanation with time markers and a distinction between related ideas. This is an editorial estimate, not an official certification.
Five useful words
British English pronunciation (IPA). Audio uses an available English voice on your device.
invent /ɪnˈvent/
verbTo create a tool, method or idea that did not exist before.
She wants to invent a better bicycle light.
software /ˈsɒftweə/
nounPrograms that tell a computer what to do.
We installed new software on the computer.
network /ˈnetwɜːk/
nounA group of connected people or things.
The library is part of a national network.
browser /ˈbraʊzə/
nounA program used to open and view websites.
Open the page in your browser.
public domain /ˌpʌblɪk dəˈmeɪn/
noun phraseA status in which material is not protected by copyright economic rights.
We found an old poem in the public domain.
The story
Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web at CERN in 1989. Scientists in different places needed a way to share information. The first website explained the project and ran on his computer.
On 30 April 1993, CERN released the Web software into the public domain. People could use, copy, change and share it. A later release used an open licence. These decisions helped other people develop the technology.
Open software does not mean that every page is free to copy. A book, photograph or article published online can still belong to its creator. CERN's decision concerned the software, not everything people later put on the Web.
Sharing the Web software helped others improve and develop it. One person could add a feature, another could test it, and others could build on their work. However, permission to share the software did not automatically give permission to copy the material published on websites.
From an idea to open software
- 1989 - A new ideaTim Berners-Lee invents the Web at CERN.
- 30 April 1993 - Public releaseCERN releases the Web software into the public domain.
- 1994 - An open licenceA later software release lets people use and modify it freely while CERN retains copyright.
Timeline by Poly-Puff using CERN's historical accounts. It shows selected milestones, not every step.
Three questions
Try answering before you open the answer. You can use your own words.
- What problem was the Web first designed to help solve?
Show answer
It helped scientists share information across different places.
- What did CERN release into the public domain in April 1993?
Show answer
The World Wide Web software.
- Did this decision make every later website article free to copy?
Show answer
No. The software release did not remove copyright from material people published on websites.
Let's talk about it
A few ideas to chat about - pick any that interest you.
- Which website helps you learn something useful?
- If you could invent an online tool, what would you want it to do?
- Would you enjoy working on software that other people could also improve?
- What would you miss most if you could only use websites made in your own country?
- Would you prefer to build your own website or help improve a shared one?
Connecting events in time
Use at first, later and today to make a change clear. For example: "At first, I read short stories. Later, I tried a novel. Today, I read every evening." Tell a short story about something you learned.
Sources and context
An original learning article by Poly-Puff, written from the factual sources below. Sources checked on 4 October 2026. The artwork and learning activities were created for this article.
- CERN: where the Web was born
- CERN: the public release and later open licence
- WIPO: copyright and material published online
From the history books: this is a new explanation of a past event. It is not a reproduced newspaper article from that year.
