No, it's not only a person's name. TED – Ideas worth spreading stands for technology, entertainment, design and many other activities.

It started out in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from those three world and since then its aim has become broader: now its range includes science, business, arts and the global issues of the world.

It's a global community welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world and hope to turn that understanding into a better future.

Ted is owned by The Sapling Foundation, a private non-profit foundation.

The Ted Conference – held annually in Long Beach (California) – is still the focus of Ted. Next Conference: february, 3-7, 2009.