This document discusses the history and characteristics of cloud computing. It begins by defining cloud computing as relying on shared resources over a network similar to a utility. Key aspects include maximizing shared resources, dynamic reallocation of resources based on demand, and access to applications via the internet without direct installation. The document then covers the history of cloud computing from the mainframe era to modern cloud services. It describes characteristics like agility, cost reduction, scalability and elasticity. Finally, it outlines the common cloud service models of Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service and Software as a Service.