Original investors of eCampus.com included Wendys founder Dave Thomas, Long John Silvers founder James Patterson and George F. Valassis, creator of the free-standing insert which revolutionized the coupon industry. All told, eCampus.com raised $91 million from 429 investors during the dot com bubble. Determined to launch the website before fall classes began at U.S. colleges and universities, eCampus.com was built from scratch in just eight months. The website launched on Mr. Thomas birthday, July 2nd, 1999 and pioneered selling used textbooks online.