The Refragmentation
&quot;Obviously the spread of computing power was a precondition for the rise of startups.&quot;<p>If you live in San Francisco (or are visiting) you can visit the USS Pampanito - a retired WWII submarine.[1]<p>One thing I think you will notice is the manufacturers plaques attached to every little piece of equipment in the submarine ... every one of them the plaque of some tiny little supplier that you have <i>never heard of</i>.  Some little Detroit Turbine Supply Company or American Radio Corporation of Maryland ...<p>Seriously - every single component has a label on it from a firm you have never, ever heard of.<p>I guess I don&#x27;t have a deep knowledge of military procurement and supply circa 1942 (or whenever) but it sure looks like startups to me ...<p>[1] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.maritime.org&#x2F;tour&#x2F;index.php" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.maritime.org&#x2F;tour&#x2F;index.php</a>