The Structure of the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary

In 1857, a dictionary was proposed that aimed to include every word in the English language. Unlike previous dictionaries that were prescriptive, this dictionary would be descriptive, based on written sources and how people actually use words. To accomplish such a massive task, the creators decided to crowdsource the dictionary by inviting people worldwide to read local books, gather local words, and send them to Oxford. This crowdsourcing effort turned out to be a massive success, with thousands of people sending in slips containing word quotations. The dictionary was written in a scriptorium, a corrugated iron shed in James Murray's garden.