Coworking 101: A Brief History
http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/03/30/coworking-101-a-brief-history/

Coworking 101: A Brief History

150 years later, why go to work in an office/plant/factory?

When you need to have a meeting, have a meeting. When you need to collaborate, collaborate. The rest of the time, do the work, wherever you like.

If we were starting this whole office thing today, it's inconceivable we'd pay the rent/time/commuting cost to get what we get. I think in ten years the TV show 'the Office' will be seen as a quaint antique.