11
The World’s Most Expensive Typos
http://www.typobuddy.com/blog/index.php/2008/09/22...
by kaalkaal 57 days ago, published 54 days ago (typobuddy.com)

A Student at Stanford University, Sean Anderson accidentally helped Larry Page come up with the name and spelling of Google. While Page and Anderson were in Page’s office, the two were attempting to come up for a name for the would-be search behemoth. Sean had suggested verbally the word “googolplex”, spurning Page to shorten it to “googol”. Anderson then went to check the availability of the word, accidentally spelling it “Google” in an internet domain name registry. Available it was, and the company has decided to go with this spelling ever since. Whether or not the company has succeeded because of the name is subject to some speculation, it is very interesting to see what has become of a basic spelling error. It also goes to show that not all typos result in lives being ruined and/or financial turmoil, way to go Sean Anderson (although he now works for Microsoft).

Weird 2 comments Email ↓ Similar ↓ Links ↓

this ad is sponsored by the user
Comments
1
digitalfever   # digitalfever
  Posted 57 days ago. (hide)

It’s a general data entry term for a typo, especially ones in which the entry specialist hit a key next to the one that they intended to press.

1
devilsworkshop   # devilsworkshop
  Posted 56 days ago. (hide)

Great Post!

In September 2006, A trader at Mizuho Securities accidentally sold 610,000 shares in J-Com Co. (a job recruiting company) for 1 yen a piece, instead of 1 share at 610,000 yen. Unable to cancel the order Mizuho Securities has lost roughly $340 million as a result. Just think how lucky you would have been to purchase a few pieces of this stock! Attributed to “fat-finger” syndrome, which is stock trader slang for making large blunders, the trader’s name has not been made public (likely for security purposes). When Mizuho contacted the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the latter cited a glitch in its system that made this trade irrevocable. Discussions have occurred with the possibility of Mizuho and the TSE some how sharing the loss, but still no agreement has been reached.

Log in to comment or register here

Voters