Question:medium

Who introduced the concept of Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)?

Show Hint

{H. P. Luhn} is known for several important contributions including:
  • Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)
  • Automatic indexing
  • Information retrieval systems
Updated On: Mar 17, 2026
  • S. R. Ranganathan
  • H. P. Luhn
  • Derek Austin
  • Melvil Dewey
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question
The question asks to identify the originator of the concept of Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI). SDI is a type of current awareness service in which users are proactively provided with new information that matches their specific interests.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach
This is a historical question related to the development of information retrieval systems. The approach is to identify the pioneer associated with this specific service.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation

The concept of SDI was developed in the late 1950s as a way to manage the growing volume of scientific and technical literature.
Hans Peter Luhn, a researcher at IBM, is credited with conceptualizing and coining the term "Selective Dissemination of Information" in a 1958 internal IBM memorandum, which was later published in 1961.
His idea was to use computers to match user profiles with newly published documents automatically.

Step 4: Final Answer
The credit for introducing the concept of SDI goes to H. P. Luhn. Therefore, Option (B) is the correct answer.
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