Microfilm Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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microfilm
[ˈmaɪkroʊfɪlm ]
Definition
media storage
Microfilm is a method of storing documents, images, and data in a miniature photographic format. It allows large volumes of information to be stored in a very compact space. Microfilm is often used in libraries, archives, and museums for the preservation of historical records and documents. The images are recorded on a transparent film, which can be viewed using a microfilm reader. This technique has been largely replaced by digital storage in many applications, but it remains in use for its durability and longevity.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The library has a collection of historical newspapers on microfilm.
- Researchers often consult microfilm for archival studies.
- Microfilm can preserve documents for many decades.
- The museum's artifacts were documented using microfilm.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Historical Context
- Microfilm was first widely used in libraries and archives during World War II when document preservation became crucial.
- In the 1960s, the widespread adoption of microfilm in businesses helped ensure that records were preserved efficiently.
Technology
- The first commercial microfilm system, the Roll Film, was developed in the 1920s to help businesses store information better.
- Advancements in technology have now led to digital forms of data storage, yet microfilm remains vital for archiving older records.
Cultural Impact
- Microfilm has been essential in historical research, allowing access to documents that would otherwise be too fragile to handle directly.
- In film history, microfilm served as a resource for filmmakers and historians by preserving scripts and production notes.
Library Science
- Microfilm machines allow readers to view and copy documents that may be too large to store physically in libraries.
- Many libraries still maintain extensive microfilm collections to keep historical newspapers and records available to the public.
Origin of 'microfilm'
Main points about word origin
- The word combines 'micro', meaning small, from Greek, and 'film', referring to the thin layer that captures images.
- Microfilm technology emerged in the early 20th century as a solution for preserving large amounts of information in a compact form.
The term 'microfilm' dates back to the early 19th century when the concept of photographing documents in a miniature form was first introduced. The invention of microfilm is attributed to the efforts of various inventors, but it gained prominence in the 1920s and 1930s with the development of specific cameras and processing techniques. Microfilm allowed for significant space savings in document storage and became essential in libraries and archives for preserving records. Its use expanded post-World War II as organizations recognized the need to conserve valuable information in a more manageable format. While digital technology has transformed the field, the fundamentals of microfilm remain due to its reliability and precision in preservation.