Evolution & development of a versatile machine‐based information system

The information system discussed in this paper is designed around punched cards and an electric sorter for information retrieval. The mechanism of “aerial and land surveys” is described as applicable to the field of petroleum refining and conversion processes culminating in an extensive and controlled term file in the field. The principles of the survey are general and are applicable to any other technology. The problems faced in the choice of code, ultimately leading to the binary code, and the card design that can work to give a six‐deep subject analytic are explained. The technique of assigning the roles of AICHE to the 10 corresponding “zones” of the card, are explained, and a practical example is given illustrating it and showing how the key words are accommodated in these role‐zones with a flexibility of approach to the same information through multiple search routes. The technique of “superimposition” of keywords in the same card as a powerful device to solve the problem of matching concept components is explained, thereby securing storage economy, simplicity of search strategy and speed of operation to deliver the goods. The article also envisages the prospect of SDI activities independent of computer hardware, showing the potential of the system under delineation to combine organizations of related technologies into a network of information centers with considerable uniformity of processing software.