“The 2002 Prince of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technological Research [has been bestowed] on the American researchers Lawrence Roberts, Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf, and the British researcher Tim Berners-Lee, for their groundbreaking contribution to the development of the Internet and the World Wide Web, unquestionably one of the major technological breakthroughs of our time. They are given the Award for designing and implementing a system that is changing the world by providing previously unthought-of opportunities for social and scientific progress.
“The Internet is one of the most eloquent examples of the benefits that accrue from scientific research and a commitment to technological innovation.
“A myriad of people and institutions were involved in this work. The jury wishes to acknowledge them all in awarding the prize to the four leaders of so extraordinary a development.”