How does the internet work?

I have used it for years, but have never fully understood the physics of it.
I mean, is there a central server somewhere?
or does each website have a server?
How exactly does all my data transfer from my computer to a website?
Who invented the internet (please try your best to hold the Al Gore jokes :o)?
How has it changed since it's initial period (as far as how it works)?
Best answer goes to the most intelligent and descriptive answer. Thanks for the knowledge!

All websites have their own server but some websites may share the same server if they are hosted by the same person.

Domain names help you browse the Internet with ease, with out domain names we would be browsing to websites using their IP address.

example:
instead of typing www.google.com in your browser which is rather simple to remember you would have to memorize this IP address instead 74.125.19.99

Your data is transferred from your computer to websites using a computer protocol called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) normally this protocol would help you talk from one computer to another with in your home on a small network ( like playing games etc.. with more than one computer ) but it is also used to send and receive data from other computers out side of your home via an Internet connection.

Your Internet Service Provider is quite laterally what it says it is, it delivers a connection to your home allowing you to access the worlds largest network of computers, the Internet.

It would be safe to say that with out Internet Service Providers the Internet would not exist or at least would not be very easy or common to use for general public.

The Internet was invented by NASA ( or possibly a US government agency ) back in the early days of computers.

Its original purpose was nothing more than what a Fax machine would do now days, It would allow information to be sent over large distances via a phone line or dedicated connection from one location to another.

As this technology grew it was adopted by the University's and helped them with developing a research source.

Not long after that any one who could afford it started to get direct connections to this rather large network and eventually they shared these connections with other people.

Before you know it Internet Service Providers started to open and offer dial-up connections to their servers giving you access to their particular fast dedicated lines.

Overall the Internet has changed from a Government Facility to the Largest Consumer Market in the World.

I hope this gives you a good understanding of the internet.

magic