The Mundaneum is located in Mons, Wallonia, Belgium, and serves as a unique museum dedicated to the preservation and exploration of knowledge through an extensive index card system. Created by Paul Otlet in the early 20th century, the museum showcases a vast collection of meticulously cataloged information, summarizing humanity’s knowledge on individual cards. Visitors can access three floors of exhibits, with tours generally lasting around an hour. Amenities include helpful staff that prioritize visitor experiences, ensuring accessibility for all.
Exhibits feature a pioneering organization of information that pre-dated modern search engines, providing a fascinating look at historical methods of data retrieval. Highlights include interactive displays that explain the classification system used in the index cards and artifacts that illustrate Otlet’s vision of global knowledge sharing. The museum offers a rare glimpse into early information science and its legacy, bridging the past and present.
