Who developed packet switching to enhance the vulnerability of SAGE?

Packet switching was developed by Paul Baran as a solution to enhance the resilience and efficiency of network communications, specifically in the context of military applications like the SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) system. The SAGE system was a critical early air defense system that required robust communication capabilities, particularly to withstand potential disruptions from attacks or failures.

Baran's concept of packet switching involved breaking data into smaller packets that could be sent independently across a network. This method provided the advantage of allowing multiple paths for data transmission, routing around problems or damaged sections of the network, thus significantly enhancing its vulnerability against interruptions. His work established the foundational principles that would later be instrumental in developing modern computer networking and the Internet.

In contrast, while Tim Berners-Lee is celebrated for inventing the World Wide Web, Vint Cerf is sometimes referred to as one of the 'fathers of the Internet' for his contributions to TCP/IP protocols. J.C.R. Licklider is known for his ideas about networked computers and human-computer interaction, but neither of these figures dedicated their work specifically to enhancing packet switching for SAGE like Paul Baran did. Therefore, the answer being Paul Baran aligns perfectly with the historical context of packet switching and