By Frank Ulom
CERN (CONVERSEER) – The Opera browser has launched “Opera Web Rewind”, a digital archive and interactive experience designed to preserve the most iconic moments of the Web, to mark it 30th anniversary.
The Opera Web Rewind is an invitation to rediscover how the web evolved – from the screech of 56k modems connecting to the internet to the rise of AI prompt.
Opera launched its first browser to the public in 1996. For three decades, they’ve been the go-to for millions of users who, like you, looked at the default browser pre-installed on their devices and thought: “I can do better”.
“In three decades, the web has evolved from a niche scientific tool to an indispensable part of our entire lives. At Opera, we’ve spent 30 years building a faster, better, and more creative window to the world,” said Jan Standal, Senior Vice President at Opera. “Web Rewind is our tribute to the community that shaped the web. We want to celebrate the memes, the breakthroughs, and even the quirks that made the web what it is today.”
The Archive: Rediscover 30 years of digital culture
The Web Rewind isn’t a static museum; it’s a playground. It lets you rediscover the gems from the web’s history by interacting with digital “artifacts” directly in your browser – whether you’re on your phone or your desktop.
- You can simply hold the space bar (or tap and hold on mobile) to fast-forward through time or click on specific years to explore a curated collection of early social media layouts, viral trends, and internet iconic lore.
- The archive covers everything from the “You’ve Got Mail” era and the first customised MySpace pages to the birth of viral video culture.
The Competition: A Journey to the birthplace of the Web
To mark the big 3-0, we’re hunting for the best web memories that actually stuck. We’re encouraging everyone to reflect for a second and submit their own “Web Rewind” moments – whether it’s a life-changing online interaction, a nostalgic gaming site, or a piece of internet folklore that defined your experience online.
The authors of the three best entries will win a trip to the birthplace of it all: CERN in Switzerland. This is where the World Wide Web was born in the early 90s. Winners will get the rare chance to visit the home of the Large Hadron Collider and stand where Sir Tim Berners-Lee first revolutionised how we share information.
How to participate:
- Submission: Visit the Web Rewind website and click the “Submit” button.
- Format: Users can provide a description (up to 500 characters) and attach images or videos (up to 10MB).
- Deadline: Entries are open until March 27th, 2026.
- Winners: To be announced shortly after the deadline, with the trip scheduled before June 30th, 2026.
Watch the video below:
About Opera
Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across devices. Hundreds of millions of people use Opera browsers for their unique features on mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is publicly listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol OPRA.
