Waiting for Mr. Know-It-All or scientific information tools we could have now

Abstract

The New York Times and Senator Humphrey have been talking about the plight of the poor scientists who find it easier to measure a quantity than to locate the results of earlier experimental work in the library. But instead of making a straightforward attack on the problems of handling the data explosion, everyone seems to be standing by for the day when that popular robot, Mr. Know-It-All, will roll himself into the laboratory and speak as follows: