Short answers, pulled from the story.
The word date entered the English language in 1896 as a transaction of courtship, appearing in the writings of Chicago columnist George Ade. This usage marked a radical departure from the Victorian era's strict supervision of women meeting men outside the private sphere of the home.
Dr. George W. Crane established the first large-scale computer dating service in 1957 through the Scientific Marriage Foundation. This service processed forms filled out by applicants using an IBM card sorting machine to match compatibility.
The earliest commercially successful computerized dating service in the United States or the United Kingdom was Com-Pat, which started in 1964. Joan Ball founded the service, which was preceded by similar European models that inspired its creation.
More than 350 businesses offer dating coach services in the United States, and the number of these businesses has surged since 2005. The dating industry has spawned numerous businesses to support individuals seeking dates.
A 2004 estimate suggests that 20% of US high school girls aged 14 to 18 were hit, slapped, shoved, or forced into sexual activity. Dating violence remains a significant issue with one report indicating a 10% chance of violence between students happening between a boyfriend and girlfriend over a 12-month period.
The television show The Dating Game first aired in 1965. This show, along with board games like Mystery Date released in 1965, has parodied and explored the mechanics of courtship.