Founded in 1958 in response to the launch of Sputnik, DARPA's original mission was to create “the unimagined weapons of the future.”

It was the launch of the Soviet Sputnik I that triggered the creation of a radically new and innovative research agency called ARPA.

“Soviets could launch a satellite this month, this week, or even today” said in a open meeting on October 4th, 1957, the Deputy Director of the CIA, Herbert Scoville. This happened just a few hours before the actual launch of the Sputnik satellite.

Happy Birthday @DARPA!

Peace be with you

It's alive! Keep up the wild work. pic.twitter.com/QPf3bW0RrF

“The Defense establishment must therefore plan for a better integration of its defense resources, particularly with respect to the newer weapons now building and under development. These obviously require full coordination in their development, production, and use.

On February 7, 1958 the Secretary of Defense Neil McElroy established the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) with the goal “to provide within the Department of Defense an agency for the direction and performance of advanced research and development projects.”

This was a response to the launch of the first Sputnik, but also an acknowledgement of the need to invest in innovative, breakthrough technologies for national security.

Called at the beginning ARPA, the Advanced Research Agency is universally known for its huge contribution in developing the Internet and stealth technology, playing a key role in the development and demonstration of the space infrastructure, both military and civil.