This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Allan Githaiga
What Is Ethereum? A Glimpse Into the World Computer
Imagine a world computer that runs code exactly as programmed, without downtime, censorship, or third-party interference. That’s what Ethereum set out to be.
From a technical view, Ethereum is a big global machine made of many small computers (called nodes) all over the world. They all work together to store data, run programs (smart contracts), and agree on what is true.
But in simpler terms, Ethereum is like a shared computer that anyone can use to build apps that no single person controls.
Where Bitcoin ₿ Stops, Ethereum Begins
Many people come across Ethereum after hearing about Bitcoin. While both use blockchain, Ethereum isn’t just for sending digital money.
Ethereum lets developers build dApps (decentralized apps) that live on the blockchain. Want to build a voting system? A game? A crowdfunding tool? Ethereum gives you the canvas.
Where the Revolution Started
In 2013, a 19-year-old developer named Vitalik Buterin saw a gap in Bitcoin’s design. He wanted a blockchain that could run any app, not just money transfers.
So he wrote a whitepaper that introduced Ethereum: a platform that could run any code (Turing complete). Gavin Wood joined shortly after and became co-founder, helping build the tech vision.
On July 30, 2015, Ethereum launched its first block. From that moment, the world computer was born.
What Makes Ethereum 
Work?
Ethereum is made of multiple layers:
Peer-to-Peer Network: Computers that talk to each other
Transactions: Messages that change the system
Consensus Rules: Everyone agrees on what’s valid
Ethereum: The Developer’s Playground
Ethereum is a developer-first platform. You can write smart contracts in languages like Solidity and deploy them for anyone to interact with. Think of these as tiny programs that handle logic and money safely.
What makes it special?
You don’t need a company to host your app
You don’t need permission to build
It’s secure and transparent
From Frontier to Serenity: The Journey So Far
Ethereum has evolved through several stages:
Frontier: The early test version
Homestead: The first stable release
Metropolis: More features and security
Serenity (Ethereum 2.0): Faster, cheaper, greener (moving to Proof of Stake)
Each stage brought new tech, bug fixes, and upgrades to make Ethereum better for everyone.
Why Ethereum Matters
Ethereum opens the door to a new internet, often called Web3. Unlike today’s Web2 (Facebook, Google), Web3 apps don’t need central servers. They are unstoppable, transparent, and owned by users.
With Ethereum, you can build:
Voting apps
Your own tokens
Prediction markets
Decentralized finance (DeFi)
Why You Should Learn Ethereum
Ethereum is the perfect blend of:
Programming
Cryptography
Economics
Distributed systems
Smart Contracts: Programs that run on-chain
Gas: The fuel that powers everything
Ethereum has its own currency called Ether (ETH). You pay “gas” with Ether to run code and use the network.
Final Thoughts
Ethereum isn’t just about technology. It’s about giving people control back. Control over their apps, data, and even money. Chapter One of “Mastering Ethereum” sets the foundation, and as we go deeper, the vision becomes even more exciting.
Stay tuned for more breakdowns from the Ethereum book!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Allan Githaiga