John Richard Patterson (17 May 1945 – 29 January 1997)[1] was the founder of the UK-based computer dating service Dateline.
[2] However, Patterson struggled to find clients at first, and engaged in shady business practices: he was convicted of fraud in 1969 for selling lists of women who signed up for his dating service to men who were looking for prostitutes.
[4] Dateline relied heavily on advertising, taking out the first full-page ads for a dating service in newspaper and magazines during the early 1970s, and becoming known for its catchphrase, "You too can find love.
"[1][5] In 1974, Patterson bought out and absorbed Com-Pat, his only major competitor and the first computer dating service in the UK, started in 1964 by Joan Ball.
[1] Patterson was an avid aviator, purchasing his first plane in 1972,[1] and winning The Sunday Times' Beaujolais Wine Race two years running in his single seater light aircraft.