Interface Message Processor (IMP)

An Interface Message Processor (IMP) is a type of computer that was crucial in the early development of the Internet. Introduced in the late 1960s, it served as a bridge between different networks, managing data traffic and ensuring messages were correctly sent and received. The IMP was part of the ARPANET, the precursor to the modern Internet, helping to connect multiple computers over long distances. By controlling the flow of information, the IMP played a vital role in establishing reliable communication between disparate systems, laying the groundwork for global networking as we know it today.