The prediction, in brief:

Mitchell Kapor, the founder of the Lotus Development Corporation, predicts the growth of a new industry as significant as the personal computer business.

Predictor: Kapor, Mitchell

Prediction, in context:

In a 1991 article for the New York Times, technology columnist John Markoff reports on the development of the nationwide data network. Markoff writes:”Many sources of information, like government documents, might be available free, but other services, including electronic newspapers, will be available only to those who pay. The industry has yet to settle on ways to protect and charge for intellectual property in a computer network where information can be copied instantly. But to encourage progress, the Thinking Machines Corporation, a Cambridge, Mass., supercomputer manufacturer, has made its software available at no charge. Some industry enthusiasts say the new technology will transform the way computerized information is sold. Mitchell Kapor, the founder of the Lotus Development Corporation, predicts the growth of a new industry as significant as the personal computer business. Some companies, like the Dow Jones Corporation, that already provide computerized information over telephone lines have taken part in developing the new computer library.”

Biography:

Mitchell Kapor founded the Lotus Development Corporation and also founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation with WELL (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link) members John Perry Barlow and John Gilmore in 1990 in direct response to a threat to free speech. He was an outspoken supporter of open access to the Internet, and was asked to speak in many venues about the issue, including Congressional hearings. (Pioneer/Originator.)

Date of prediction: January 1, 1991

Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure

Subtopic: General

Name of publication: New York Times

Title, headline, chapter name: For Shakespeare, Just Log On

Quote Type: Paraphrase

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Section D; Page 1; Column 3: Financial Desk

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney