Bitcoin is widely represented in the popular press, but far less so in serious academic inquiry. Researchers have analyzed Bitcoin from various discipline-specific perspectives using their own sets of theories and jargon. Yet cross-disciplinary research has been muddled by the inaccurate interpretation of terminology across fields of research. This results in polarized assessments. In an effort to examine the Bitcoin phenomenon in a more holistic and multidisciplinary manner, this paper compares Bitcoin with another innovative technology – the World Wide Web – as first envisioned by Tim Berners-Lee. By exploring the early development of the World Wide Web, we seek to compare and contrast its development with that of Bitcoin and blockchain technology. The goal of this study is to show similarities and differences in their historic development, in order to identify key success factors related to the adoption of these technologies. Through identification of these factors we seek to guide both academics and practitioners towards fruitful avenues of research and development.