Proceedings of the 1998 Conference on the History and Heritage of Science Information Systems

Bowden, Mary Ellen and Hahn, Trudi Bellardo and Williams, Robert V (1998) Proceedings of the 1998 Conference on the History and Heritage of Science Information Systems. Conference on the History and Heritage of Science Information Systems 1(1), Pittsburgh, PA.

Abstract

The Conference on the History and Heritage of Science Information Systems,held 23–25 October 1998, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, brought to fruition the efforts of a wide variety of people. Over the last few years a small band of enthusiasts has determinedly pursued the history and heritage of science information,even though there was little support and only rare appreciation of this historical enterprise. Scholars working abroad or those outside the field of information science—such as the few historians of science and technology who had approached this field in their investigations—received even less support (monetary or otherwise). These individuals usually found themselves isolated geographically from like-minded individuals or separated by disciplinary boundaries. The original purpose of the conference was to bring together as many of these dedicated people as possible to share with each other their research, insights, and knowledge. The conference organizers also seized the opportunity, unusual in most historical exercises, of inviting the historical figures themselves—pioneers in the automation of science information—to contribute papers or simply bear witness to the past in the form of brief reminiscences. This volume shows, I believe, just how marvelously eclectic was the conference, how stimulating was the exchange of views, and what exciting opportunities for future research exist.