The most iconic sound in the history of the internet: 20 seconds of screeches, whistles and static that meant "you are going online". Actually a very sophisticated protocol: modems negotiated capabilities and line quality in real time (V.8 handshake) before agreeing on a speed. Here it is faithfully synthesised in Web Audio (no samples).
The screen fills with a Windows 95 dial-up window and the modem handshake sound starts. Turn up your volume. Press Esc to cancel.
56 kbps = 7 KB/sec: a JPEG photo took 30-60 seconds. Every phone call while online interrupted the internet. Timed connection cost: 10-20 cents/minute. That is why we all learned to be patient and download things at night when rates dropped.