CD-ROMs as connectors in the early development of the Web

The contribution of CD-ROMs to the media and technology landscape is often overlooked, although it was highlighted in the fields of creativity (Lessard, 2018) and video gaming (Therrien, 2019). Their role as bridge technology is one aspect that has received little attention, while their impact was significant: CD-ROMs were pivotal connectors facilitating early Internet and Web access (Schafer, 2022). This proposal underscores the significance of CD-ROMs in the first stages of digital connectivity and networking by focusing on the hybridization of technologies, and the communication strategies surrounding these artifacts. Relying on press
articles, users’ manuals, ISP connection kits, private collections (http://www.letenneur.com), as well as CD-ROMS and specialized press digitized by Internet Archive, this presentation aims to demonstrate the role of CD-ROMs as key technical and communicational artifacts for the
early access to the “network of networks”.
First, CD-ROMs bridged the gap between “standalone computers” and the Web, embedding software that enabled users to connect, network, and navigate digital spaces. This interplay highlights the dual nature of early Internet access. Second, these CD-ROMs were not just software mediums, but cultural artifacts that embodied the promise of the Internet and the Web.
The communication surrounding ISP CD-ROMs also reveal the strategies to demystify and promote Internet access and networking. Packaging designs were crafted to convey the potential of the Internet and the Web. These narratives have played a pivotal role in shaping public perceptions of digital networks, making them accessible to a broader audience.