This book isn't a traditional story with characters and a plot. It's a window into a single, powerful idea. In the late 19th century, Paul Otlet looked at the explosion of books and papers and saw chaos. He believed all this knowledge should be connected and accessible to everyone, everywhere. His 'plot' was the step-by-step creation of a universal system to catalog every published work using a standardized card index—a physical, global database.

Why You Should Read It

Reading Otlet is a mind-bending experience. You'll find yourself constantly saying, "He predicted that!" His vision of linked documents, remote access to library collections, and a world where information transcends borders feels incredibly modern. It’s humbling and exciting to see the roots of our digital world sketched out with such clarity using the analog tools of his time. It makes you appreciate the sheer ambition behind organizing knowledge.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for anyone curious about where the internet came from, long before silicon chips. It's perfect for history buffs, library science enthusiasts, and tech lovers who enjoy a good origin story. It’s a short, dense read, but it packs a huge idea. You'll walk away with a new hero from the past and a deeper understanding of the very old dream that built our new world.