Tools V/Information retrieval: Engineering micrographics: Reduced from hand-made originals or prepared directly by computer, microfilm data files claim size, access, and integrity advantages

Proposal work, documentation, drafting activities, and spec writing all contribute mightily to the flow of paper circulating throughout any sizable technical organization. Perceiving this hard-copy addiction, more than one observant engineer has characterized his work environment as “the Paper Mill Playhouse.” While it's always been possible to stem part of the tide and save space too by stashing little-used drawings and reports on microfilm, keeping active files under control presents a more serious challenge.