Cyberia, London facts for kids
Cyberia, London, 1994
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| Industry | Internet cafe |
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| Founded | September 1994 |
| Headquarters | Whitfield Street, London, England, UK |
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Key people
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Eva Pascoe, Keith Teare, David Rowe, Gené Teare |
Cyberia, London was a very first internet cafe in the UK. It opened its doors in London in September 1994. Imagine a cozy cafe where you could enjoy a drink while using a computer with full internet access! It was located at 39 Whitfield Street in Fitzrovia, a part of London. Cyberia was started by Eva Pascoe, David Rowe, Keith Teare, and Gené Teare. This special place quickly became a popular spot for anyone interested in computers and the early internet.
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What Was Cyberia?
Cyberia was the very first internet cafe in the UK. It was a place where people could pay to use computers and connect to the internet. This was a big deal because, back in 1994, most people didn't have internet at home. Cyberia offered a friendly space where you could explore the web, send emails, and chat with others. It soon grew into a chain of cafes, opening in other parts of the UK and even around the world.
A Special Place for Everyone
When Cyberia first started, it had a special goal: to create a space mainly for women. The idea was to give women a comfortable place to learn about and play with new computer technologies. This was important because, at the time, the tech world was mostly seen as a male-dominated area.
However, Cyberia quickly became super popular with everyone! So, it couldn't stay just for women. But it still kept its original spirit alive. It hosted a special "women's night" once a week. During these nights, women could come and learn important digital skills in a supportive environment.
Busy Basements and Creative Spaces
The basement areas of Cyberia London were also buzzing with activity. These spaces were home to many exciting projects and groups:
- Webmedia: One of the first companies to design and build websites, called Webmedia, had its office in the basement. It was started by Ivan Pope.
- Subcyberia: This was a cool spot for gamers. People like Richard Bartle, a famous game designer, would often visit. It was also known for its Sunday morning breakfast club after late-night parties.
- Transcyberia: This was a special "nerd lab" for people who created software and designs. Many groups used this space, including the Community Informatics Research Network.
Even famous music artists visited Cyberia. Kylie Minogue held a press event there. And David Bowie used the venue to connect with fans through his own internet service, Bowienet.
Superfast Internet and Famous Investors
Cyberia had really fast internet for its time. This was thanks to its partnership with Easynet. Easynet was an ISP (a company that provides internet access). It was founded by David Rowe and Keith Teare, two of Cyberia's founders. Easynet even operated from the same building as the cafe!
In return, Cyberia helped promote Easynet's products and services. If Easynet customers needed help with their new internet systems, Cyberia was often the first place they would go for support.
Some other well-known people also invested in Cyberia early on. These included Mick Jagger, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones, and Maurice Saatchi, a famous advertising executive.
