The directory began as a private list maintained by a Long X patient with a STEM background (Vijay Iyer) who was diagnosed with ME in June 2021. The community of public Long X patients was growing considerably during the Covid-19 pandemic, and he noticed many others with STEM backgrounds, track records, and careers among the broad talent pool being waylaid, to varying degrees, by Long X conditions. 

After thinking about the why with fellow Long X patients and identifying an additional volunteer committed to the principles & practicalities, the directory became a public resource in May 2023.