Rise of Microfilm explores the history of microfilm, a 20th-century technology that profoundly impacted information access and preservation. It examines how this invention, initially conceived in the 1800s, revolutionized various sectors, including libraries, archives, businesses, and intelligence agencies. The book argues that microfilm's adoption led to fundamental shifts in information management, democratizing access to knowledge and enabling efficient handling of vast data volumes. Microfilm provided a compact, durable, and cost-effective solution, addressing the challenges of managing paper-based records, especially during the World Wars.
The book uniquely investigates microfilm's technological evolution, its adoption across industries, and its socio-political implications. For instance, microfilm enabled institutions to preserve fragile historical documents and businesses to efficiently store critical records. The narrative begins with the origins of microphotography, then explores its historical context and impact, and concludes by considering its decline with the rise of digital technologies.
By using diverse evidence such as patents, archival documents, and oral histories, Rise of Microfilm presents a comprehensive account of this transformative technology and its enduring legacy.
