Mid-1990s: British engineer Kevin Ashton introduces the concept of the "Internet of Things".

2005: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released the ITU Internet Report 2005: The Internet of Things, which formally introduced the concept of the "Internet of Things".

17 January 2019: The State Grid Corporation proposes the "Ubiquitous Electricity Internet of Things", the application of "Internet of Things" technology in the power industry, opening up a new path for safer power grid operation, leaner management, more accurate investment and better service.