I put links to Dick's posts in Susan's first post.
Dick is one of the people who started the Digital Tradition. There's a load of history, but the quick version:
Dick Greenhaus and Susan of DT combined their lyrics collections, then Dennis Cook came into it. That became the DT. Max volunteered to host it, and created the forum so people could talk about folk music and surrounding topics.

-correct me, if I'm wrong-

If it weren't for any of those first happenings, I doubt Mudcat would exist.