Editing CSNET (section)

{{Short description|Early computer network in the US}}
{{Internet history timeline}}
The '''Computer Science Network''' ('''CSNET''') was a computer network that began operation in 1981 in the United States.<ref name="nsf">{{Cite web |title= The Internet—From Modest Beginnings |work= NSF website |url= https://www.nsf.gov/about/history/nsf0050/internet/modest.htm |accessdate= September 30, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161007113705/https://www.nsf.gov/about/history/nsf0050/internet/modest.htm |archive-date= 2016-10-07 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Its purpose was to extend networking benefits, for [[computer science]] departments at academic and research institutions that could not be directly connected to [[ARPANET]], due to funding or authorization limitations. It played a significant role in spreading awareness of, and access to, national networking and was a major milestone on the path to development of the global [[Internet]].  CSNET was funded by the  [[National Science Foundation]] for an initial three-year period from 1981 to 1984.