It got going 90+ years ago in the hands of a a couple inquisitive guys who worked at Springfield Armory. Initial development was with M1 & M2 Springfield .22's chambered for the .22WCF with its .227 neck squeezed down to accept bullets suitable for the .223" bores of those rifles. Ensuing commercial and private endeavors followed suit since the favored source for cheap barrels were recycled .22RF barrels.

"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz
"Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty