Whilst I was with Webapper, Jeremy Allaire gave this great interview on May 7, 2003 for "Meet the Makers".  I remember somehow losing the link for a while and then finding it again; 2 years later.  This is such a great read for all of us the the CF and JRun world, not to forget Spectra either. 

One bit that I always find fascinating is the attempt that Microsoft made to persuade Allaire's principles to sell the company.  Allaire declined because they were enjoying themselves so much.  Microsoft went on to buy an Hawaiian company and hey presto - ASP.

I won't go on but I do recommend your taking the time to read this, you will get an insight into how one of the greatest web application products was born and flourished.