Actually, the concept of hyperlinking (while not being called that) has been around for quite a few years. After all, who wouldn't want all knowledge to be linked together?Back in 1945, Vannevar Bush thought exactly that.Even then, Bush felt that there was too much information, and that people were unable to grasp or remember so much information on their own. People like investigators (namely the FBI), doctors, and researchers could all benefit from having information stored in one place, and linked together to provide the user with interlaced information.
What Bush proposed was actually a creation based in photography; a "memex."It was essentially based in microfilm technology, but had very similar concepts to today's computer.In it, a user would store all his records, books, written materials, pictorial materials - any information they wish to store. This information can be accessed with impressive speed and accuracy.
However, Bush did not think that an index system should not be relied on with the memex, for this is not the natural way in which the mind works. He states that the mind "operates by association." That is, the mind would not locate an item, then withdraw from the material to the index, only to re-emerge itself with the material, but would simply snap from one item to another. He insists that the important aspect of the memex is "the process of tying two items together."
Sounds an awful lot like a hyperlink, doesn't it?
And that's what a hyperlink provides, is a link between two separate sources, invariably "tying" them together because of their related importance to one another. In addition, in Bush's description of creating links has the user himself finding two resources to be linked together. This sounds pretty similar to "tagging" which is done frequently on community sites by the users.
This linking notion was so important to Bush. He actually predicted that there would be encyclopedias that would be hyperlinked so that they could be "amplified" in their information; something we're beginning to see today. But if it was such a novel concept back then, why is it still under debate now? Although some people are now beginning to realize the value of hyperlinks, there are still many that question if hyperlinks are useful or hindering. You can read more of this debate below:
1. Disadvantages of interactive websites
2. Advantages of interactive websites
Sources:
Bush, Vannevar. "As We May Think." The Atlantic. (July 1945): 101-109.
Pictures From: ibiblio