1963 Problem solved by Monty

Monty Hyams (1918-2013): Patent Information Pioneer

Year: 1963

The Problem:

Derwent's customers' bookshelves are filling up -- what's needed is a retrieval system for this growing mountain of information.

Such a system is devised for pharmaceutical companies, based on punched-cards. But it will hugely increase the annual price Derwent must charge.

At a meeting in New York, a $4,000 price is announced. Hardly anyone returns after lunch. Reaction is little better in Europe.

So how can the service go ahead when it needs a minimum 30 subscribers to break-even on costs?

Monty's Solution:

Click here to find out

After a pause to gather thought, pharmaceutical companies begin to commit after all, and before long that number is reached.

Those who miss out threaten legal action if not permitted to join. 'Reluctantly' Monty agrees to allow them in.

Called Farmdoc, this retrieval service launches in 1963 as the first element of what develops into Derwent World Patents Index

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