In your example, to avoid recreating the wheel, the “we” would be some sort of vendor that has an API to their “screwdriver database”.
But some companies would do this themselves to be in control of the information. They only sell 5 brands of screwdrivers, and can upload and embed this data in their own databases (if they were motivated).
This sounds like your “mindmap” link, where it is more individualized. But you are thinking it could be broadened and sold through an API, which is true as well. But from experience, I would rather be in control of the data.
But your outsourcing idea is good too, since people have limited time to think about this stuff. So both versions (individualized truth) and (curated and sold truth) have a place for sure.
I can see a market for this!