The Browser Wars: When Silicon Valley Fought For Control of How You See The Internet

In this episode of Lost On the Internet, we dive into the brutal corporate battle that determined how billions would experience the web. Before Chrome dominated browsers, Netscape and Microsoft waged a no-holds-barred war with billions of dollars and the future of technology at stake.

Discover how Netscape, created by a 24-year-old wunderkind, captured 80% of the browser market and became the fastest-growing software company in history. Then follow Microsoft's ruthless counterattack, as Bill Gates mobilized his empire to crush the upstart by bundling Internet Explorer with Windows – a move that triggered a massive antitrust case and nearly split Microsoft in two.

We'll uncover the forgotten features of these early browsers, from Netscape's revolutionary innovations to Internet Explorer's desperate attempts to catch up. Through interviews with former Netscape and Microsoft engineers, learn about the frantic pace of development that had programmers sleeping under their desks to ship new versions every few months.

But this isn't just tech history – it's a story about how corporate warfare shaped the web you use today. We'll explore how this battle established crucial web standards, browser cookies, JavaScript, and other technologies that still power your online experience decades later.

Perfect for tech enthusiasts, business strategy fans, and anyone interested in how today's internet was forged in the fires of corporate combat. Whether you remember downloading Netscape Navigator on dial-up or just want to understand how browsers evolved, this episode reveals how a forgotten war between tech titans permanently changed how humans access information.