Technology based distance education, the predecessor to the Internet, began in the early 1900's with the introduction of instructional films. Later, radio was used and then television. Instructional radio failed but television, due to its audio-visual nature, was a lukewarm success. An increased interest in higher education during 1960's and 1970's brought new life to distance learning. The advent of microwave technology made microwave networks possible and for the first time, distance learners were considered part of the university world. Programs such as University without Walls were quite popular. Britain's Open University helped pave the way for today's online higher education.