Microfiches

Microfiches

Microfiche is a small sheet of transparent film, usually measuring 4 x 6 inches, that contains microphotographs of documents. Microfiches were widely used in the past as a means of storing large amounts of information in a compact and easily accessible format. The microphotographs are created by reducing the size of the original document through a photographic process, and then arranging the reduced images in a grid pattern on the microfiche sheet. The microfiche sheet is then stored in a protective jacket or sleeve, which can be easily filed and retrieved. Microfiches were commonly used by libraries, government agencies, and businesses as a way to store and access large volumes of information. They were particularly useful for storing documents that were rarely accessed, but needed to be preserved for future reference. Microfiches were also used as a backup storage medium for important documents, as they were less susceptible to damage than paper documents and could be easily duplicated. Despite the widespread use of microfiches in the past, their use has declined in recent years due to advances in digital storage technology. However, microfiches are still used in some industries, such as the automotive and aerospace industries, where they are used to store technical drawings and specifications.

microphotographs, compact, accessible, preservation, backup

— Paul Jackson