Lobbyists have never had a higher profile. While that is something the PR-end of the calling tends to appreciate, the big earners, many of whom like Frank Dunlop have a background in politics, prefer to operate more discreetly. The OED says the verb "to lobby" originated in the US in 1823 and means "to frequent the lobby of a legislative assembly for the purpose of influencing members votes and to solicit the votes of members. To influence in the exercise of their functions by frequenting the lobby." The noun "lobbyist", it says, dates from 1863 and refers to "one who frequents the lobbies of the House of Representatives in order to influence members in their votes". The job hasn't changed much.