About 111things.com
Our History: From The Technical Wizard to the AI Era
The story of 111things.com is a journey through the evolution of the American internet. We didn’t start in a Silicon Valley garage; we started on the banks of the Fox River in De Pere, Wisconsin, in an office with a legacy of its own.
The Golden Era: 1990s – 2001
Long before “digital marketing” was a buzzword, our founder was known to the businesses of Eastern Wisconsin simply as “The Technical Wizard.” Operating out of the former Green Bay Packers training center—right across from St. Norbert College—our headquarters was a piece of sports history. The locker room energy was still in the air, and famously, the bathroom wall bore the original signatures of the 1996 Super Bowl Champion Packers.
During this time, 111things.com was a pioneer. You might have heard our ads across the radio dial in Wisconsin or seen us in the thickest sections of the Yellow Pages. We were booked months in advance, helping the region transition into the first great “dot-com” boom.
The Turning Point
On September 11, 2001, the world changed. Like many American small businesses, we felt the immediate impact. As the country mourned, the phones stopped ringing. Months of scheduled work vanished in days as the nation paused. Our site became a digital sanctuary, hosting a widely-shared 9/11 tribute that stands as a preserved piece of history in the Wayback Machine.
The Pivot and The Revival
After the dust settled, our journey led to the creation of Splinternet Marketing, focusing on the emerging world of SEO. But the original vision of 111things.com—providing clear, accessible information in a cluttered world—never went away.
111things.com Today
Today, we are reviving the brand for a new age. In an era of information overload, 111things.com serves as a high-speed informational tool for the modern traveler, researcher, and curious citizen.
We provide “at-a-glance” insights into every corner of the United States. Whether you need a quick snapshot of a local area or a deep dive enhanced by AI, we bridge the gap between the grit of the original web and the power of the future.
Welcome back to 111things.com. The Wizard is back in.