Early research and development: 1960-4): RAND networking concepts developed 1962-4): ARPA networking ideas 1965): NPL network concepts conceived 1966): Merit Network founded 1967): ARPANET planning begins 1967): Symposium on Operating Systems Principles 1969): NPL followed by the ARPANET carry their first packets 1970): Network Information Center (NIC) 1971): Tymnet switched-circuit network 1972):