How I Built This with Guy Raz

Wikipedia: Jimmy Wales (2018)

Jan 27, 2020

Jimmy Wales, the visionary founder of Wikipedia, shares the fascinating story behind the groundbreaking online encyclopedia. He discusses the evolution from his early internet ventures to launching Wikipedia, emphasizing the significance of community-driven knowledge and the challenges faced during the dot-com crash. Wales reflects on how innovative solutions emerged amid financial difficulties and how Wikipedia transformed from a questioned source to a trusted resource. Plus, enjoy a lighthearted segment on a dating app for dog owners inspired by personal experiences.

42:31

Episode guests

Jimmy Wales

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

3min

From Newpedia to Wikipedia: The Birth of Collaborative Knowledge

17min

Community-Driven Innovation in Wikipedia's Early Days

4min

The Early Years of Wikipedia: Challenges and Triumphs

17min

Dating Apps, Misunderstood Birthdates, and Marketing Solutions

3min

Creating a Love Connection for Dog Owners

2min

The Success Story of a Dog-Friendly Dating App

2min

Engaging the Community and Promoting Entrepreneurial Growth

2min

During the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, Jimmy Wales was running an internet search company. That's when he began to experiment with the idea of an online encyclopedia. In 2001, Wales launched Wikipedia, a website where thousands of community members could contribute, edit, and monitor content on just about anything. Today, the non-profit has stayed true to its open source roots and is one of the ten most visited websites in the world. PLUS in our post-script "How You Built That," we check back with Leigh D'Angelo, who explains how her sister's break up inspired them to create a dating app—for dog owners. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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