> because of defense contractors working on a military project (ARPANET). Ehh, kinda, but not really. Less military contractors and more research grants given

> because of defense contractors working on a military project (ARPANET). Ehh, kinda, but not really. Less military contractors and more research grants given to academics. The difference is subtle, but an academic institution is a public institution focused on advancing science and teaching it to the public. A corporation or contractor is in it for the profit. Notably, the academics involved were able to publish their work as the TCP/IP standard (and others), and anyone was able to use it. If it had actually been military contractors we would not have the internet as it is today.