The 'Father of the Internet' is finally retiring

- **Vint Cerf**, often called a "Father of the Internet," co-designed the TCP/IP protocol suite — the fundamental data transmission standards that allow different computer networks to interconnect and form the Internet. He worked at DARPA, MCI, and spent decades at Google as its Chief Internet Evangelist. - This article reports Cerf's retirement from Google and his advisory roles. He has been a central figure in internet governance, policy, and engineering since the 1970s. - **Context needed**: The "Internet" as a global, interoperable network was not inevitable — it was the result of specific technical choices (packet switching, open protocols). Cerf's work helped ensure the Internet remained open, decentralized, and non-proprietary, which shaped today's digital economy and culture. - His retirement marks the end of an era: few people alive can claim as much direct influence over the architecture and ethos of the Internet. His departure from active roles raises questions about who will champion its continued openness.