Atlas Obscura
Joshua Foer and Dylan Thuras met in 2007 to discuss a different kind of atlas. They wanted to feature places not commonly found in standard guidebooks. The pair hired a web designer in 2008 to build their vision into reality. Atlas Obscura officially launched its website in 2009 with Annetta Black as the first senior editor. Their initial goal was to catalog unusual and obscure travel destinations for curious travelers.
Sommer Mathis served as editor-in-chief from 2017 until 2020 after working at The Atlantic CityLab. Samir Patel took over as editorial director in 2020 before becoming editor-in-chief in 2021. He arrived from Archaeology magazine to lead the site's content strategy. Louise Story was announced as CEO in April 2025 following years of leadership transitions. These shifts marked significant changes in how the publication approached its editorial direction.
Atlas Obscura secured $2 million in major funding during 2015 from investors including The New York Times. A second fundraising effort netted $7.5 million to support further growth. Series B funding raised $20 million in 2019 with Airbnb serving as the lead investor. A+E Networks and New Atlantic Ventures also joined this round of investment. This capital allowed the company to expand operations beyond simple web listings into broader media production.
The company published its first book in September 2016 titled Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders. Workman Publishing Company released the volume written by Foer, Thuras, and Ella Morton. Gastro Obscura launched in late 2017 as a dedicated food section covering distinctive locations worldwide. Subsequent titles included The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid in 2018. Wild Life appeared in 2024 as another guidebook exploring living wonders around the globe.
Obscura Day events began organizing internationally starting in 2010 to bring people together offline. Dylan Thuras stated that one main goal was creating a real-world community engaging with each other and places directly. As of 2021, local Atlas Obscura Societies organized experiences in nine cities including New York and Philadelphia. Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and Seattle hosted these gatherings. These groups encouraged members to get away from computers to actually see the destinations they explored online.
David Plotz served as CEO from October 2014 until November 2019 after being hired in 2014. Warren Webster assumed the position in March 2020 following his tenure at Coveteur and Patch. Louise Story took over as CEO in April 2025 leading to immediate friction within the organization. Disagreements arose regarding Story's direction for the company during her first months on the job. Foer and Thuras were removed from the board by shareholder vote in November 2025 ending their direct control.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When did Joshua Foer and Dylan Thuras meet to start Atlas Obscura?
Joshua Foer and Dylan Thuras met in 2007 to discuss a different kind of atlas. They hired a web designer in 2008 to build their vision into reality. Atlas Obscura officially launched its website in 2009 with Annetta Black as the first senior editor.
Who is the current CEO of Atlas Obscura as of April 2025?
Louise Story was announced as CEO in April 2025 following years of leadership transitions. She took over from Warren Webster who assumed the position in March 2020 after his tenure at Coveteur and Patch. Disagreements arose regarding Story's direction for the company during her first months on the job.
How much funding did Atlas Obscura raise in Series B in 2019?
Series B funding raised $20 million in 2019 with Airbnb serving as the lead investor. A+E Networks and New Atlantic Ventures also joined this round of investment. This capital allowed the company to expand operations beyond simple web listings into broader media production.
What book did Atlas Obscura publish in September 2016?
The company published its first book in September 2016 titled Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders. Workman Publishing Company released the volume written by Foer, Thuras, and Ella Morton. Subsequent titles included The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid in 2018.
When did Obscura Day events begin organizing internationally?
Obscura Day events began organizing internationally starting in 2010 to bring people together offline. As of 2021, local Atlas Obscura Societies organized experiences in nine cities including New York and Philadelphia. Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and Seattle hosted these gatherings.