Why did personal computers and local area networks help the Internet expand in the 1980s?

The expansion of the Internet in the 1980s was driven by the integration of two major technological developments: the rise of the personal computer (PC) and the emergence of local area networks (LANs) like Ethernet.12

The introduction of affordable personal computers in the early 1980s, fueled by advancements in integrated circuit technology and falling prices, made computing accessible to individuals and small businesses rather than just academic or military researchers. As these PCs became common, the need to connect them grew. Ethernet provided a standardized, efficient way to link these machines within offices or buildings, allowing users to share resources like printers and exchange data.12345

This shift was further accelerated when Ethernet cards were developed for the IBM PC in 1982, granting personal computers the power and convenience of networked communication. By providing a technical foundation for connecting individual workstations, these developments helped transition the Internet from a specialized research tool into a broader commercial and public network.312