Netscape Communications Corporation was an American company founded in 1994, best known for creating the first popular web browser, Netscape Navigator. This browser played a significant role in the early growth of the World Wide Web, making it easier for users to access and navigate online content. In 1999, Netscape went public, and its initial public offering (IPO) was one of the most successful at the time. The company was later acquired by AOL in 1999, but its influence on internet technology and web browsing remains significant in the history of the internet.