About

It was founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle and Bruce Gilliat and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The organization's mission is to preserve and provide access to historical collections in digital format, including websites, books, videos, audio recordings, and software applications. The Internet Archive is best known for its Wayback Machine, an online service that allows users to view archived versions of web pages. It continuously crawls websites and saves snapshots of their content, creating an extensive archive of internet history. As of 2021, the Wayback Machine houses over 486 billion web pages. In addition to web archiving, the Internet Archive also hosts various collections of digitized books, audio recordings, and videos. One of its significant projects is the Open Library, which provides free access to millions of books in various formats. The Internet Archive also collaborates with libraries and cultural institutions worldwide to digitize and preserve their collections. Another important aspect of the Internet Archive is its advocacy for digital rights and open access. It actively promotes the use of open-source software and emphasizes the importance of preserving digital content for future generations. The organization also supports initiatives such as the Free Music Archive, a platform that allows artists to share their music freely. Overall, the Internet Archive plays a vital role in preserving and providing access to digital culture and knowledge. Its extensive collections and initiatives contribute to the democratization of information and the advancement of digital heritage.