well, all this is true... but at least MapQuest is still around (since 1967). And I don't think GOOG makes any significant $ from maps yet.

Perhaps you tried to say that in 90s they should have tried to make a better search engine instead, apply advertising business model to it, make a lot of money... and then proceed to make the best maps on web by deploying those profits?

Because otherwise I don't see how MapQuest could have done it.

They worked on their business, not their technology. Since they were in the mapping business, they might have invested more $ into their mapping product.