Google hires “father of the Internet”

Internet search company Google said it has hired Vint Cerf, a scientist known as “the father of the Inernet” for his work in developing the TCP/IP protocols that send information packets whizzing over data lines.

Google, which has undertaken an aggresive campaign to hire top scientists as it tries to expand its offerings, said Cerf would be the company’s “chief Internet evangelist”.

Google said he will help develop new network systems and standards for the next generation of Internet applications.

“Vint Cerf is clearly one of the great technology leaders of our time,” said Google CEO Eric Schmidt. “His vision for technology helped create entire industries that have transformed many parts of our lives. We are honoured to welcome him to Google.”

Cerf, 62, said he would not rest on his laurels and would continue innovating at Google.

“What I have done in the past is not important at Google,” he said. “What is important at Google is what you are doing today and what you are going to do tomorrow. That’s the metric I will be measured by.” (dpa)