What started out as an idea to earn rent money turned into one of the most popular peer-to-peer rental sites used today. Airbnb cofounders Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky started out as two cash-strapped roommates in San Francisco in 2007. In order to make their rent, the two loaned out rooms in their apartment to visiting designers from the International Design Conference after hotels in the area were booked up.
The two called their new endeavor "Air Bed and Breakfast," a reference to the air mattresses the guests were staying on. While the sleeping accommodations sounded less than appealing, guests loved the breakfast and city tours the pair provided.
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Eventually, they spread the idea to other apartments, which led to the growth and further development of what the world now knows as Airbnb.