Introduction:
Back in 1999, at the cusp of a digital revolution, my partner Mark and I, both brimming with youthful ambition, were poised to present a groundbreaking idea. Our meeting with the CEO of AirTouch, a telecom giant then on the verge of a massive merger 1, was more than just a business pitch; it was our chance to leap ahead in the tech world.
The Hyper-Mall Concept:
We envisioned a “Hyper-Mall,” a virtual reality shopping platform, years before the concept of the Metaverse entered the public lexicon. This digital mall was to be powered by a modified version of DivX, which had recently become open-source 3. Our innovation? Making it adaptable for streaming over TCP/IP – a novel idea at the time. Even more so at sub-7Mbps Speeds at what most would now call 1080p.
The Fateful Day:
That pivotal day began like any other, with Mark and I preparing for what we hoped would be a life-changing meeting. However, fate had other plans. Mark’s car, a 1981 Camaro RS – our reliable companion until then – failed us. The ensuing mechanical troubles left me in a less-than-ideal state: clad in a lumberjack shirt, hardly the attire for a meeting of this magnitude.
The Meeting with AirTouch’s CEO:
Upon our arrival, we learned that the CEO had just been informed of the merger, a deal that transformed him into a multi-millionaire overnight 2. Amidst his hectic schedule, our innovative Hyper-Mall concept was brushed aside. My disheveled appearance and our tardiness only added to the CEO’s impatience, leading to a swift dismissal. I will never forget the look on the secretary’s face as I exited the elevator that day. I also remember his response “Why should I care about this when I am in the middle of replacing cable TV with a new set-top box that will be wireless on every TV in the UK?”
Reflections on What Could Have Been:
The missed opportunity wasn’t just about a failed pitch; it was a moment that could have placed us at the forefront of digital shopping. If only things had been different – a different shirt, a more reliable car, or a slightly earlier start – perhaps we could have been the pioneers of a technology that others later realized. Granted an extra I have learned is that most things happen for a reason. This reason I am starting to see it now.
Conclusion:
This experience, though a missed opportunity, was a profound lesson in the unpredictable nature of the tech industry. It taught me the importance of timing, presentation, and the fine line between success and what could have been. It’s a story that I often reflect upon, thinking about how a simple twist of fate can change the trajectory of innovation.
