The Radical Decentralized Web of 1991

Before today's corporate internet existed, early pioneers built the Toasternet. This web relied on small, independent, community-run networks rather than a centralized group of giant service providers.

Emerging in the early 1990s, Toasternets prioritized radical decentralization and open-standard federated services. Instead of relying on a few massive commercial giants, users connected their own devices to form ad-hoc, flexible networks. This grassroots approach essentially predicted the modern movement for decentralized social media and community-driven connectivity. It remains a fascinating blueprint for what the internet looked like before it became dominated by tech conglomerates.