A group of Internet pioneers met after 40 years to explore the origins and development of the Internet in Europe. The panellists, Dennis Jennings, Daniele Bovio, Daniel Karrenberg, and Niall O'Reilly, formed the European Academic and Research Network (EARN) and shared key insights and historical perspectives on early networking challenges and achievements. The discussion highlights significant contributions to Internet technology and offers reflections on the lessons learned from the evolution of digital communication. The panel discussion took place during the South East Europe (SEE) 12 Meeting in Athens, Greece, on 22 April 2024 and was moderated by Vesna Manojlovic.