JohnsList
Friday, January 12, 2007 at 12:37AM Definitely an Extra Eagle, John started compiling a list of deals from his regular desk in Jonathan’s Coffee House (or his office as he called it). He thought that there really should be somewhere central where people could keep an eye on what was going on. His idea really took off, now some time later there are many copy cats.
What was this JohnsList? A competitor to Craigs List ? Who was John? Does Jonathan’s Coffee house have free Wifi? Are their barrista’s any good?
I’m afraid it wasn’t a cool coffee shop in San Francisco’s SOMA district. There was no WIFI, not even T-Mobile. John was John Castaing and the year was 1698. “Jonathan’s Coffee-house” was in London. It’s still there today, but changed it’s name in 1773 to the London Stock Exchange. Yes John’s list really took off. There was a real need for a central source of information of deals.
As an Extra Eagle John wasn’t there waiting for some king to form a special committee of Lords to work out that this should be done. He saw a need and he went for it. As a matter of fact when his pals the stock brokers were kicked out of the Royal Exchange (which did have royal blessing) for roudy behaviour they all congregated at Jonathan’s so they could keep an eye on Johns list. Remember this was before Apple introduced Dashboard Widgets.
Extra Eagle
Reader Comments (2)
[...] Just look at the institution that John created. It can be done. Most of the structure of major institutions we have today such as banks, insurance, exchanges, corporations etc. owe their origins to a few entrepreneurial guys like John during the 17th and 18th centuries. Those times were filled with excitement and uncertainty very much like today. [...]
Great article, thanks :)