Does it really matter who started what and when, or who was first?? We are here to share information and techniques. Knowing who was first shouldn't matter.
We associate names to a lot of things on this and other forums. I see things referred to as the "XXXX finish", the "XXXX Pen", or the "XXXX Tool", when none of these folks were the first to discuss them on the Internet or anywhere else. The only reason their name has become synonomous with a technique or anything else is only because they were the more vocal about it, or wrote detailed instructions for others to follow.
An example is the CA/BLO finish. I first wrote about it in my Finishing Secrets articles on Wood Central 3 years ago. I got the technique from Michael Dresdner (and give him credit) who got it from unnamed pen turners. It doesn't matter who first. What is important is that it is a technique worth knowing about.
Then there will always be those who claim to be "First" because it means something to them personally, or they hope to make money from it.
Trying to repudiate anyones claim to, or having their name associated with, anything discussed on the Internet can open a box that might be better left closed. Unless you want to start a raging argument that goes way beyond the realm of snakes and their skins, or file a legal claim, does it really matter who was first.
I have the feeling that this will become a very long and convoluted discussion.
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