Cover Sheet for Technical Memoranda-A Technique in Information Exchange

An account is given of the origin and use of a routine for disseminating new technical information and ideas rapidly and flexibly through the large engineering and research organization of Bell Telephone Laboratories. The essential philosophy back of this routine is that technical memoranda have the status only of the individual engineer's personal authority, and hence may be circulated directly and widely across departmental lines for information and discussion. Departmental policy in relation to such memoranda is established by covering letters where such action is necessary. The objectives approached and benefits accruing from this procedure are briefly discussed.