The Origins and Principles of the World Data Center System

Abstract

Archival research shows that the designers of the International Geophysical Year intended the World Data Centers to allow full and open access to scientific workers while respecting the right of individual investigators to publish results. World Data Centers A, B, and C were formulated to cover the United States, the Soviet Union, Europe, and Asia with multiple copies of datasets to ensure against catastrophic destruction of data and offer multiple access points to researchers and students.