ABSTRACT
The late nineteenth century and early twentieth century was a renaissance period of prodigious innovation in Europe across the spectrum of arts, sciences, technology and social sciences, including major innovations in information and communications technologies. Concern is with the European documentation movement and for that means primarily the 1890s through the 1930s, more or less, but extending earlier or later when that seems helpful. A good starting point is that the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century was a renaissance period of prodigious innovation in Europe across the spectrum of arts, sciences, technology, and social sciences. The spirit distinguishing this renaissance from other renaissances was an ideological emphasis on efficiency, on improved design, on engineering, on standards, systems and performance. It was the period of Taylorism and of scientific management. This spirit can be referred to as 'technological modernism' to distinguish it from other aspects of modernity.
