Been there done that

The relationship between Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace is typically presented as having begun with the 1858 letter from Wallace to Darwin that briefly outlined a theory of natural selection very similar to that which Darwin had been working on for many years. So the story goes, it was Wallace's letter arriving "out of the blue" that prompted Darwin to get off his highly-evolved rear and publish his own work.

In fact, the two were already corresponding on the topic. At one point during this exchange Darwin appeared to try to gently warn Wallace off the subject of natural selection by claiming prior art

This summer will make the 20^th year (!) since I opened my first-note-book, on the question how & in what way do species & varieties differ from each other.— I am now preparing my work for publication, but I find the subject so very large, that though I have written many chapters, I do not suppose I shall go to press for two years.

Wallace missed (or ignored) the warning.

Reminds me of the OpenID and SAML relationship, i.e. upstart ignores work of established authority, but nevertheless adds valuable variations.