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The race to save 20th-century history
Tokyo Koon is facing an increasing influx of old media—rising from 10,000 to 40,000-50,000 tapes annually—that are at risk of disappearing unless digitized. This highlights the urgent need for audiovisual conservation to preserve 20th-century history.
Key points
- Tokyo Koon is an organization focused on digitizing and conserving old media.
- The influx of tapes has significantly increased from 10,000 to 40,000-50,000 in recent years.
- These tapes contain valuable historical footage that risks permanent loss due to their fragile condition.
Why it matters
- Many organizations emphasized digital preservation following the rise of IT trends emphasizing data storage and archival.
- Concerns over the preservation of cultural heritage have surged with the advancement of technology and digital consumption.
- The trend to digitize physical media corresponds with broader digital transformation efforts across industries by 2025.
The urgency of digitizing old media at Tokyo Koon reflects a broader trend in audiovisual preservation, highlighting the importance of safeguarding cultural history against technological obsolescence.