“Mother Earth Mother Board”, Neal Stephenson1996-12 (computer hardware)⁠:

[Classic longform essay by SF author Neal Stephenson in which he travels the world tracing the (surprisingly few) transcontinental fiber optic cables which bind the world together and power the Internet.

Undersea cables combine cutting-edge technology, deep sea challenges, high finance, and global geo-politics/espionage all in one tiny package.]