Today we want to take a look at another example where digitization preserved historical documents. Similar to analog photos and films, older documents like newspapers and books will fade away over time. Therefore it is essential to transfer them to a digital medium to preserve them for the future.
In this instance archives from a historic Welsh ironworks were digitized. Some people compare the importance of these archives to the Domesday Book and the Winston Churchill’s wartime papers. The archives were essential for the rapid development of Britain’s expansion throughout the industrial revolution. Thanks to funding it was now possible to save them from the ravages of time.
To be precise, the documents originated from the Neath Abbey Ironworks which were built in 1792. The archives held a huge collection of drawings and blueprints related to early steam machines and mine engines as well as locomotives.
A total of 16,600 British pounds were provided by the Welsh Government and the National Manuscripts Conservation trust (NMCT). This enabled the West Glamorgan Archive Service to start with the essential conservation of the manuscripts which includes their digitization and the publication on the internet. Approximately 8,000 drawings could be saved to share this part of the history of Great Britain with future generations.
This is just one example of the importance of digitization. To learn more about digitization and to preserve your own family heirlooms including analog photos, negatives and film, visit www.scancorner.in.
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