Amazing Facts about Microfilm

Chances are, you've seen movies where a person goes to the library in an effort to seek informative documents from the past. They sit in front of a projector or a computer and slide through numerous pictures or slides until they find the information they need. However, do you know what these slides are called? They're made from microfilm.

Microfilm is the most accurate way to preserve and restore documentation. Frequently used in libraries and other institutions, it can keep records and allows others to quickly access numerous documents. So, the next time you need access to historical information, obituaries, or newspapers, microfilm at your local library is an excellent place to start. Here are just a few of the amazing facts about microfilm analysis:

1. There are different types of microfilm. The first is the traditional microfilm, which contains documents and pictures on a film reel, aperture cards or microfiche, which is a flat sheet, and microcards, which are printed on cardboard. However, microcards are no longer made or used.
2. The word "microfilm" was first used during the 1920s. However, these documents were originally known as "microfiche". This word originates from the French word "fiche" which literally means "a slip of paper."
3. The astronomer James Glaisher first discovered that microfilm was efficient for storing and preserving documents in 1851.
4. John Benjamin Dancer, however, first figured out how to produce these types of mini-photographs in 1839. He was successfully able to reduce the size of the documents by 160:1.
5. Kodak purchased the first microfilm device from a banker named George McCarthy. They called it the Recordak.
6. Microfilm was used during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870-1871. It was used to communicate between cities during the initial siege of Paris. The documents that needed to be transported were compressed and made smaller and placed in microfilm. Then, they were carried by homing pigeons to the desired locations across German borders. Using lantern light, the reader would project the message or documents and transcribe them.
7. It is suspected that the life of microfilm is around 500 years.
8. On one roll of 35 mm microfilm, there could be up to 600 engineering drawings or blueprints, or 800 images from a newspaper. However, a 16 mm microfilm can carry up to 2,500 letters and documents.
9. Many microfilm originals have a black background with white lettering. To many, this is preferable. It is easier to read and can hide a lot of dust.
10. Microfilm is considered the most trusted way to preserve documents as it is unalterable.
11. In the court and legal system, microfilm is an acceptable legal record.
12. Because of their ability to hold large amounts of information in small rolls, many libraries use them as a way to display old newspapers, obituaries, and other historical documents.
13. Loved ones can now more easily research their genealogy and lineage thanks to microfiche.
14. The Family History Library contains over 2.4 million rolls of genealogical records from all over the world on microfilm. This includes census records, passenger lists from ships, church records, military enlistments, land ownership lists, and cemetery records.
15. The University Microfilms International, or UMI, was founded in 1938. It became the leader in microfilm publications. It remained the number one publisher until 2001 when it was acquired by Proquest.

Microfilm analysis is an excellent way to peek into the past or store documents. Whether you are looking for historical documents on your ancestors or simply to read an old article, microfilm is an amazing resource. With its ability to store large quantities of articles, photos, and other information, it's no wonder that so many use it as a way to preserve precious memories and legal documents.

Source : articlesbase.com