The World Wide Web was developed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. He created a system to facilitate information sharing across different computers and networks, leading to the establishment of the first website. Berners-Lee's invention introduced key concepts such as hypertext, which allows users to navigate between web pages via links. His work laid the foundation for the modern internet, enabling global connectivity and the development of web standards. The impact of the World Wide Web has been profound, transforming communication, commerce, education, and entertainment on a global scale.