Do you know the name of the problem or strategy used for solving the problem? I'd be interested in looking it up!

I own DDIA but after a few chapters of how database work behind the scenes, I begin to fall asleep. I have trouble understanding how to apply the knowledge to my work but this seems like a useful thing with a more clear application.

Yes, we used the Yahoo! “Feeding Frenzy” paper as the basis for the design of Haplocheirus (the timeline service).