Background to scientific communication

The need for more efficient communication of engineering and scientific information is traced to the increase in the number and variety of people who have the need to know. The change in the position of science from a significant source of power to a major instrument of power makes the distribution of scientific information a matter of competitive necessity and logistics. It is stressed that we need a communications system that will satisfy the needs of the scientific community at large rather than isolated and specialized pockets of retrieval. An experimental system is suggested that will provide a realistic test facility for the evaluation of ideas and components. Some problem areas in need of research and invention are discussed.