The Man Behind TYPO3: King Kasper’s Inspiring Journey After 2 Decades

TYPO3 was initiated in 1998 as a commercial project at a web agency I co-founded. It evolved from the practical needs we saw when managing numerous HTML sites, which quickly became outdated because clients couldn’t maintain them on their own. The logical step was to connect these sites to a database-backed system using templates, leading to the birth of TYPO3 as a CMS.

TYPO3 was crafted not by comparing it to others, but purely based on fulfilling the needs I encountered in my own work, and later on the needs of others. Its design allowed for great adaptability to virtually any conceivable web design, facilitated by the inclusion of TypoScript. A unique early feature of TYPO3 was its ability to generate complex graphics, mirroring the intricate designs I used to create in Photoshop—this capability was quite groundbreaking at the time. Essentially, TYPO3 was the perfect tool to meet my specific requirements—it truly scratched my own itch, as the saying goes in the open-source community.

When the web agency and I diverged in our paths, I left with the TYPO3 IP. This decision coincided with a period of deep reflection and realignment with my Christian faith, prompting me to reconsider my life’s goals and values. I felt called to share my programming skills with the world as an act of faith and love, as inspired by the teachings of the Bible. While profiting from software isn’t inherently wrong, at that time, sharing TYPO3 as open source felt like the right path for me—and it turned out to be a blessing for many.

It was necessary for me to step down due to burnout at that time. This likely resulted from working excessively hard and feeling lost. I distinctly recall losing interest in almost everything IT-related. Back then, I often mentioned that this burnout felt like the natural result of how the web industry had evolved. In 1998, a single person could manage everything from servers to graphics. However, within a decade, these areas had grown into specialized fields far too vast for one person to handle alone. Despite my best efforts to keep up, I felt overwhelmed, as if I were being swallowed by a huge wave instead of riding it. Unlike others who might have adapted or delegated, I found myself unable to choose a clear path forward or find comfort in this new explosion of complexity. This left me feeling out of place, incompetent, and sad. Regrettably, I had no choice but to resign.

Post-burnout, I took a significant turn and went back to university to study Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark. This not only gave me a break from the IT world but allowed me to be guided by others' leadership for a while. Slowly, my visionary nature re-emerged, and I became involved in various e-learning projects at the university. This eventually led to founding SKAARHOJ, where we create control panels for live productions. Twelve years on, we’re a team of 20, and while I have talented engineers, I’m still deeply involved in designing our hardware and software—it’s not just my job; it’s my passion and how I unwind, whether I’m at home, on vacation, or in the office. And for the record, I still love to use <table>'s to align stuff ;-) Old flames die hard.

Honestly, I'm somewhat out of the loop with the current CMS challenges as I've moved on. However, I'm profoundly grateful that TYPO3 continues to thrive thanks to a dedicated community. It's like watching a child grow up; I played my part, but now it stands on its own, supported by the passion and creativity of people like you.

In my current role, innovation is happening daily, though not within the realm of CMSs. Instead, my focus is on developing cutting-edge products for the broadcasting industry. At SKAARHOJ, our mission is to invent the future of live production control. We've introduced a variety of innovative solutions—some of which, including PCB designs and software, we've made available as open source on GitHub.

Achieving commercial success remains a cornerstone for SKAARHOJ. While TYPO3 was a passion project for me, I've observed other founders successfully merge open-source principles with profitable business models—a balance I strive for today and wish was a larger part of my TYPO3 story. My previous experience with burnout taught me the importance of sustainable practices, not just in personal health but also in business operations.

At SKAARHOJ, we aim not only to pioneer in our field but also to inspire our industry towards greater good. My commitment also extends beyond product excellence to include social impact. For example, a modest portion of our profits supports the education of 50 children in Pakistan each month. This initiative is just one aspect of how we aim to use our resources wisely and extend our blessings outward. I hope to see that grow.

Living a balanced life where I can "drive a nice car" and support meaningful causes is important to me. I hope eventually to demonstrate that it’s possible to maintain personal well-being while making a significant positive impact on the world.

Let me end by expressing my deepest gratitude to everyone in the TYPO3 community for your dedication to making this the best CMS in the world. Inspiring people to share our talents with each other and the world is truly remarkable. You are all awesome!