The research project
Aim: The main aim of the research project ‘Histories of the Danish web in the 1990s’ is to write a cultural and media history of the early development of the web in Denmark. A second aim is to put the early history of the Danish web in dialogue with what came later (social media, mobile media, so-called Web 2.0, etc.) with a view to identifying breaks and continuities. The pre-history of the research project has been briefly described in a blog post.
1992-97: The study focuses on the foundational period of the World Wide Web in Denmark, that is the first five years of existence of a Danish web, from the establishing of the first Danish web server in September 1992 to begin 1997 when it became possible for private individuals to register their own domain name. The period before 1992 is also studied since it constitutes the backdrop on which the web slowly emerges in late 1994, including early Danish experiments with computer networks (Teledata, NetPlus), Bulleting Board Systems, WAIS, Gopher, Archie, and email.
Focus areas: The project has three focal areas:
a) The overall history of the Danish web
b) The overall history of selected areas/spheres of the Danish web
c) Detailed case studies of selected Danish websites
The overall history of the Danish web is about (not exhaustive list):
- Danish society and culture in general
- public discourses about the web (cultural public imaginaries)
- the general media landscape
- policy papers from government and similar
- computer and internet technology (hard- and software, ISPs, etc.)
- cross-web features (browsers, search, etc.)
- regulatory frameworks
- domain name handling
- how to get on the web (home, work, public libraries, internet café, etc.)
- software for website construction
The overall history of selected areas/spheres of the Danish web is inspired by Habermas’ idea of the public sphere and includes the following spheres:
- media sphere (print, radio, television on the web + born web media)
- private sphere (individuals, families, etc.)
- commercial sphere (international, national, local companies)
- cultural sphere (arts, music, food, sport, religion, etc.)
- political sphere (political parties, NGOs, etc.)
- state sphere (Parliament, Ministries, regions, municipalities)
- education sphere (higher education, high school, primary school)
The detailed case studies of selected Danish websites:
- a number of websites will be selected within each sphere to be analysed in detail
- focus on communicative functions and form of content
The study is based on a variety of source types, among others:
- archived web from the Internet Archive, and from Netarkivet
- print documents (books, newspapers, magazines…), television, commercials
- usegroups
- (internal) documents, diaries, photos…
- public policy papers
- interviews, oral histories
- statistics
The research project is conducted by Niels Brügger, professor in media studies at Aarhus University, School of Communication and Culture, Department of Media and Journalism Studies.
Previous project description (29 August 2025).
Previous project description (25 July 2024).
Last updated 20 Oct 2025
Optimised for 