THE UNIVERSAL DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION - SOME FACTORS CONCERNING ITS ORIGINS, DEVELOPMENT, AND INFLUENCE

The bibliographic enterprise envisaged by Otlet and LaFontaine, which resulted in the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) being developed in 1895, and the subsequent history of the scheme is outlined. Relati onship with Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) from which it was deriv ed deteriorated in the early 20th century and changes in funding, loca tion, and editorship of Duyvis from 1929-1959 had a profound effect on the scheme's development and management. Lloyd, Duyvis's successor, r eformed the revision structure, and further management changes from 19 75 to the present day, culminated in the formation of the UDC Consorti um in 1992. The subsequent creation of a machine-readable Master Refer ence File and speedier revision procedures are noted. The scheme's str ucture, development, and influence on classification theory are examin ed, problems caused by longevity and lack of standard procedures, and proposals for their reform to improve the scheme's suitability for an automated world are highlighted. Research projects in the 1960s foresh adowed possibilities today being explored, such as a complementary the saurus and individualization of single concepts notationally. The valu e of classification in a multilingual environment is emphasized and fu ture developments outlined. A list of recent editions is appended.