Good day!
While reading through truckloads of newsletters this week, it was striking that three of the most interesting issues related to historical explanations of how we got where we are today, in three different domains: online music, patents, and videogames (most specifically the videogame Fortnite whose producer is in a massive battle with Google and Apple right now). Normally there isn’t a “theme” to the issues I highlight, but this week that’s just how it turned out!
HOW iTUNES CAME TO BE
When iTunes Ruled the Music Industry in Penny Fractions, by David Turner on Aug 19, 2020.
iTunes was the first legal platform that the major record labels all got behind to bring music online. If you’ve ever wondered how in the world Apple pulled this off, bringing arch-rivals together in support of iTunes and their 99 cent pricing, this is quite an eye-opening read. It’s clearly written, tells a coherent tale, and will certainly leave you better informed about one of the biggest step changes in the music industry’s history. (1774 words; ~6.5min) Read it...
HOW EPIC GAMES CAME TO TAKE ON APPLE & GOOGLE
Epic MegaFight in Tedium by Ernie Smith on Aug 18, 2020.
Most companies with apps in the Apple or Google app stores are not thrilled at the 30% cut the app stores take, but rarely do companies choose to go head to head with Apple and Google. Epic Games, creator of the epicly famous Fortnite video game just did. In this issue of Tedium, Ernie takes us on a super deep dive on the history of Epic Games (arguably one of the most successful and disruptive companies in the video game industry over the past ~30years), trying to understand from its past how and why it would take on Apple and Google. Even if you’re not into video games (I am totally NOT), it’s fascinating to have such insight into how the company has grown, pivoted, taken risks, and emerged victorious in the past. Obviously the past doesn’t predict the future, but it’s certainly helpful to understand the background and what’s going on, because (especially if Epic Games is victorious!) there may be some very profound implications on the app ecosystem that are worth pondering… (3316 words, 12min) Read it...
HOW DID THE CONCEPT OF A “PATENT” EVOLVE?
The Origin of Patents in Age of Invention by Anton Howes on Aug 6, 2020
We live in a world where patents provide monopolies to inventors/creators, but if you’ve never delved into the history of patents, it’s well worth learning about. Anton, a vivid story teller, weaves a detailed history of not only the evolution of patents in western Europe, but also of the language around them. For instance, who knew that 500 years ago the words “invention” and “discovery” were synonymous?... and that you could get a patent (monopoly) for inventing (ie discovering) new lands as an explorer? In sharp contrast to reading a patent itself, this is an intriguing, enjoyable read that will leave your curiosity satiated and your interesting-factoid repertoire all filled up! (2343 words; ~8.5min) Read it...
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