One man decided to take on Google Maps, 20 years later OpenStreetMap is still going strong

Steve Coast founded OpenStreetMap 20 years ago, creating a free, collaborative map platform supported by millions of contributors and major tech companies.

: Steve Coast started OpenStreetMap, a community-driven map platform 20 years ago. With over 10 million contributors, it competes with Google Maps by offering free, collaborative geographic data. Supported by major organizations like Apple and Microsoft, its success is evident in its widespread usage.

Steve Coast, a University College London dropout, founded OpenStreetMap 20 years ago. Inspired by the success of Wikipedia and Linux, he aimed to create a global, collaborative mapping platform. Though Coast no longer manages the day-to-day operations, his initial work laid the foundation for this project.

OpenStreetMap has grown to include over 10 million contributors who map everything from streets to natural features, using data from public and private sources. Governed by a non-profit foundation, the platform relies on donations and memberships for support, employing only a handful of staff.

Big names such as Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon utilize OpenStreetMap data, demonstrating its significance. The platform's Open Database License allows third-party use, promoting accessibility and challenging the dominance of proprietary solutions like Google Maps. As noted by contributor Serge Wroclawski, monopolizing location data is not ideal, making OpenStreetMap's open approach crucial for societal benefit.

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