Brewster Kahle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brewster Kahle
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Kahle in 2009
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| Born |
Brewster Lurton Kahle
October 21, 1960 |
| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (SB) |
| Occupation | Digital librarian Computer engineer Internet entrepreneur |
| Employer | Internet Archive, Electronic Frontier Foundation |
| Known for | Development of WAIS Co-founder of Alexa Internet Founder of Internet Archive |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Austin |
| Children | 2 |
Brewster Kahle (born October 21, 1960) is an American computer expert and internet leader. He is known for wanting everyone to have free access to all knowledge. He studied computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Kahle started the Internet Archive and helped create Alexa Internet in 1996. He was recognized for his work and joined the Internet Hall of Fame in 2012.
Contents
About Brewster Kahle
His Early Life and Learning
Brewster Kahle was born in New York City. He grew up in Scarsdale, New York. His father, Robert Vinton Kahle, was a mechanical engineer. Brewster went to Scarsdale High School.
He then went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He earned a degree in computer science and engineering in 1982. At MIT, he focused on artificial intelligence, which is about making computers think like humans.
Building the Internet's Memory
After college, Kahle joined a company called Thinking Machines. For six years, he worked as a lead engineer. There, he helped create the WAIS system. This was one of the first systems that let people search for information across the internet. It was an early version of what we now know as the World Wide Web.
In 1992, he started WAIS, Inc. with Bruce Gilliat. Later, in 1996, he co-founded Alexa Internet. Alexa Internet was a company that analyzed how people used the internet.
At the same time he started Alexa, Kahle also founded the Internet Archive. He still leads the Internet Archive today. This organization works to build a digital library of all human knowledge.
The Wayback Machine
In 2001, Kahle launched the Wayback Machine. This amazing tool lets people see old versions of websites. The Internet Archive has been collecting copies of websites since 1996.
Kahle got the idea for the Wayback Machine after seeing how much information was on the internet. He realized it was possible to save everything. He wanted to make sure that all this information would not be lost.
Why Digital Libraries Matter
Brewster Kahle believes that digital archives are very important. They help historians understand the past. They also make the internet more reliable. For example, they can help fix "404 Document not found" errors. They also help people find related information more easily.
Kahle has also talked about the importance of adding "meta-data" to archives. This is information about the information itself. It helps future researchers find what they need.
He has also shared his thoughts on how some companies handle digital books. He believes that access to books, even old ones, should be free and open. He thinks that a student should be able to find books from many libraries, not just one private company. He wants the best works of humankind to be available to everyone.
Saving Physical Books Too
Kahle believes that knowledge comes in many forms. It can be in people's memories, in old manuscripts, or in printed books. He thinks it is important to save all these forms.
He was inspired by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which stores seeds from around the world. Kahle decided to try and collect one physical copy of every book ever published. He knows it is a huge goal, but he wants books to "live forever."
He started by using large shipping containers. These containers are specially set up to keep books safe from damage. Each container can hold about 40,000 books. As of 2011, he had collected about 500,000 books. These books are not loaned out. Instead, they are used to check the information in digital copies.
Awards and Recognitions
Brewster Kahle has received many awards for his work:
- 2004: Paul Evan Peters Award
- 2005: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- 2007: Knowledge Trust Honors award
- 2008: Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award
- 2009: Named one of "50 Visionaries Changing Your World" by Utne Reader
- 2010: National Academy of Engineering
- 2010: Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta
- 2010: Zoia Horn Intellectual Freedom Award
- 2012: SIIA Peter Jackson Award
- 2012: Inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame
- 2013: LITA/Library Hi Tech Award
- 2016: Fellowship of the Digital Preservation Coalition
See also
In Spanish: Brewster Kahle para niños
- List of archivists
