Abstract EN:

Microphotography, which may be described as the photographic reproduction of documents at high reduction scales was known as early as 1839, but large scale applications became effective only a hundred years later. No suitable emulsion coated on a safe and stable base was made available before the 1930's. Derived from professional motion picture film, microfilm benefited from the drastic improvements which took place in the motion picture industry between 1920 and 1940. Surprisingly, sound recording techniques were responsible for a better image quality. Micrographics were never firmly established in france. In the united states, it became an industry and american libraries, both public and academic, still heavily rely on microfilm for long-term storage. Historical factors, and a fascination for "high tech" may partly account for the underdevelopment of microfilm on france but the main reasons are to be found in the cultural environment : the americans care for their libraries better than the french and the public expresses a genuine interest for conservation. A matterof-fact attitude towards technology (as exemplified in the past during the second world war and to-day in the policy of the genealogical society of utah) together with greater awareness of the limitations of electronic media as far as long-term preservation is intended, may also explain the lasting success of micrographics in america. The increasing importance of american libraries and us-based information systems in the academic field tends to re-affirm america's cultural supremacy.