MIT team was first to discover the locations of 10 balloons scattered across U.S . Contest tested use of Web-based techniques to achieve time-critical tasks . Challenge was announced on anniversary of first message sent on Internet 's precursor . `` We 're giving $ 2,000 per balloon to the first person to send us the correct coordinates , but that 's not all -- we 're also giving $ 1,000 to the person who invited them . Comment: Winning team discovered balloons ' locations less than nine hours after launch .
MIT team was first to discover the locations of 10 balloons scattered across U.S . Contest tested use of Web-based techniques to achieve time-critical tasks . Challenge was announced on anniversary of first message sent on Internet 's precursor . Comment: Winning team discovered balloons ' locations less than nine hours after launch .