Paul Otlet

Paul Otlet was a Belgian author, entrepreneur, and librarian. He is considered one of the pioneers of information science and documentation. He co-created the Universal Decimal Classification system and envisioned a global network of knowledge called the Mundaneum.

The Mundaneum was a project envisioned by Paul Otlet to create a global network of knowledge and information. It aimed to collect and organize all the world's knowledge and make it accessible to everyone. The project included building an immense physical library, as well as developing systems for indexing and cataloging information.

The Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) is a comprehensive classification system for organizing knowledge. It was developed by Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The UDC assigns a unique number to each subject, making it easier to retrieve and classify information in libraries and other information systems.

Paul Otlet made several significant contributions to information science. Apart from co-creating the Universal Decimal Classification, he also developed the concept of a global network of knowledge, which foreshadowed the World Wide Web. He envisioned a system where all information would be interconnected and accessible to all. Otlet's ideas and work laid the foundation for modern information management and retrieval systems.

Paul Otlet's work greatly influenced modern information systems. His ideas about cataloging and classifying information formed the basis for the development of library catalogs and online databases. His vision of a global network of knowledge inspired the creation of the World Wide Web. Otlet's pioneering work in information science continues to shape the way we organize and access information today.