The Many Uses of Microfilm

Microfilm, or a form of microform, has been around since the mid-1800s when John Benjamin Dancer was the first to produce microphotographs. But as he did not seriously think of the process as more than a novelty, he didn't document his practice and James Glaisher, an astronomer, was the first to suggest microphotography as a document preservation method. In 1859, Rene Dagron used Dancer's methods to get a patent for microfilm. After, he started the "first commercial microfilming enterprise, manufacturing and selling microphotographic trinkets."

After demonstrating that microfilm could be used for something other than trinkets through the Franco-Prussian War (in which carrier pigeons transported microfilmed messages across German lines to Paris), microfilm was used more seriously, starting with a banker that used microfilm to document copies of all bank records. The banker, George McCarthy, created the Chekograph machine, which Kodak then bought and began to market under the name Recordak. In 1935, Kodak began producing The New York Times in microfilm and soon after, Harvard began its Foreign Newspaper Project. After microphotography was used extensively for espionage and otherwise in World War II, and with the threat of the destruction of many of the world's precious materials, newspapers, photographs, and otherwise, microfilm began to be taken seriously as a preservation of sorts.

Libraries in the 50s and 60s began to use microfilm as a preservation method and the method took off. Nowadays, microfilm is a wonderful way to conserve and preserve any images from newspapers, photos, and more. Digitizing microfilm has now become a growing trend for many universities, governments, and other private companies. Microfilm has many advantages over other preservation methods. For just a few advantages, here are a few pros and cons for digitizing microfilm.

Microfilm Saves in Space

Microfilm is just that—a micro form of film, photography, or documents like newspapers or historical and medical records. With microfilm, you are able to save 95% of the space required to store paper documents, an incredible feat. With smaller amounts of storage required to save all these documents, microfilm also saves money as well.

Ensures Safety and Security

Microfilm also ensures the safety and security of the documents because the image is too small to read with the naked eye. If someone were to steal microfilm with the intent to use the document for ill, they would also need a device to read microfilm. As these analog or digital magnification methods are usually larger machines, it's close to impossible for someone to have access to one, unless they use the same library from which they stole. Also, because microfilm has low value as a medium, there are very few microfilm collections that have suffered any losses.  

Microfilm Is More Durable

Microfilm is a great way to preserve because of its durability. In case of a disaster, paper or digital records are rarely saved because of their fragility, especially when it comes to water or disasters. With microfilm, if a water disaster occurs, microfilm can often be salvaged. Microfilm also has a lifetime of 500 years—which is incredible when compared to paper and digital goods' short lifetimes. Because of the material used, the microfilm is almost impossible to mutilate as well. Although microfilm is extremely durable, there is a very specific way that microfilm should be kept, which may create issues with some libraries.

Overall, microfilm is a great way to preserve important documents and will be for many years to come because of its durability and security. Though the technology seems outdated, digitizing microfilm is extremely popular. Microfilm itself will stay as a great method of preservation in many libraries and government agencies. 

Source : articlesbase.com