microfilm
Shrunken document storage
Microfilm is a photographic medium that stores documents, newspapers, and other printed materials as highly reduced images on rolls or sheets of film.
Before digital archiving, it was the standard method for preserving and compacting large volumes of records, and libraries still maintain extensive microfilm collections.
To read microfilm, you use a special viewer that magnifies the tiny images back to readable size.
The verb microfilm means to photograph documents onto this medium: The library microfilmed every issue of the newspaper from the 1800s.
Stored historical records
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- recordsStored data or albums
- libraryBook collection or building
- catalogOrdered list of items
storage · repository · vault · collection · database · indexing · retrieval · digitization
Making something smaller
- exposureState of being unprotected
- negativeOpposite of affirmative
- emulsionBlended immiscible liquids
- developerOne who builds things
contrast · resolution · frame · sprocket · duplicating · vesicular · enlarger · photographic
Shrunk photo for espionage
- spyCovert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
surveillance · smuggling · concealment · dead drop · Cold War · cipher · agent · tradecraft
Corpse holding facility
- back issuesEarlier editions of periodicals
- periodicalRecurring printed publication
- clippingPiece cut out
- headlineNews article title
journalism · publication · press · editorial · archive · bound volumes · indexing · obituary
Study of family descent
- censusOfficial population count
- newspaperPrinted periodical of current events
- periodicalRecurring printed publication
- dissertationExtended academic treatise
thesis · interlibrary loan · primary source · historical records · vital records · back issues · reference · scholarship
archive
Stored historical records
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- recordsStored data or albums
- libraryBook collection or building
catalog · storage · repository · vault · collection · database · indexing · retrieval · digitization · conservation
reduction
Making something smaller
developer · contrast · resolution · frame · sprocket · duplicating · vesicular · enlarger · photographic · image
microdot
Shrunk photo for espionage
- spyCovert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
intelligence · surveillance · smuggling · concealment · dead drop · Cold War · cipher · agent · tradecraft · intercept
morgue
Corpse holding facility
- back issuesEarlier editions of periodicals
- periodicalRecurring printed publication
- clippingPiece cut out
headline · journalism · publication · press · editorial · archive · bound volumes · indexing · obituary · classified
genealogy
Study of family descent
- censusOfficial population count
- newspaperPrinted periodical of current events
- periodicalRecurring printed publication
dissertation · thesis · interlibrary loan · primary source · historical records · vital records · back issues · reference · scholarship · bibliography
- Media Preservationdigitization, digital archiving, archiving, backup copies, master copy
- librarylibrarian, book stacks, books, library card, bookshelves
- mediatelevision, mass media, news, broadcasting, video
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- newspapersnewspaper, headlines, headline, news, articles
- Spy Fictionspy, secret agent, double agent, MI6, CIA
microfilmdigital archive
Stored data for posterity
cloud storage · hard copy · born-digital · digital scan · printed matter
microfiche, microfilms, microfilming, microfilmed, microfiches