This model of recurring micro-payments wasn't always the norm from the outset. Patreon wasn't the first to do micro-payments nor subscriptions, but they became

This model of recurring micro-payments wasn't always the norm from the outset. Patreon wasn't the first to do micro-payments nor subscriptions, but they became the de facto platform for audiences to support content creators. Banks and other financial institutions have been doing payments, micro-paymenst, and subscriptions for years via bill pay and autopay services. It would make sense that someone like PayPal would add a monthly subscription option. They already have much of the infrastructure in place. You might not need Patreon for your subscribers to support you, but you probably wouldn't have subscribers under this model if Patreon hadn't established this as a norm.