Why the card catalog—a “paper machine” with rearrangeable elements—can be regarded as a precursor of the computer.

Today on almost every desk in every office sits a computer. Eighty years ago, desktops were equipped with a nonelectronic data processing machine: a card file. In Paper Machines, Markus Krajewski traces the evolution of this proto-computer of rearrangeable parts (file cards) that became ubiquitous in offices between the world wars.

The story begins with Konrad Gessner, a sixteenth-century Swiss polymath who described a new method of processing data: to cut up a sheet of handwritten notes into slips of paper, with one fact or topic per slip, and arrange as desired. In the late eighteenth century, the card catalog became the librarian''s answer to the threat of information overload. Then, at the turn of the twentieth century, business adopted the technology of the card catalog as a bookkeeping tool. Krajewski explores this conceptual development and casts the card file as a “universal paper machine” that accomplishes the basic operations of Turing''s universal discrete machine: storing, processing, and transferring data. In telling his story, Krajewski takes the reader on a number of illuminating detours, telling us, for example, that the card catalog and the numbered street address emerged at the same time in the same city (Vienna), and that Harvard University''s home-grown cataloging system grew out of a librarian''s laziness; and that Melvil Dewey (originator of the Dewey Decimal System) helped bring about the technology transfer of card files to business.

This book presents case studies on the human rights performance of state-owned enterprises from four Latin American and three European countries, as well as foreign investments by Chinese state-owned enterprises on these continents. State-owned enterprises are considered among some of the worst perpetrators of contamination and corporate human rights violations around the globe, both domestically and abroad. This volume examines whether companies implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and how their state owners regulate or incentivize their human rights compliance. Studies cover different sectors ranging from finance to extractives and air transport in Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, and Mexico and allow contrasts between companies from countries with different degrees of human rights regulation, including due diligence and supply chain laws. The work shows that states are rather hesitant to implement the UN Guiding Principles “leading by example.” The book will be essential reading for academics, researchers, and policy-makers working in the areas of international human rights law, comparative administrative law, and corporate social responsibility.

This book presents case studies on the human rights performance of state-owned enterprises from four Latin American and three European countries, as well as foreign investments by Chinese state-owned enterprises on these continents. State-owned enterprises are considered among some of the worst perpetrators of contamination and corporate human rights violations around the globe, both domestically and abroad. This volume examines whether companies implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and how their state owners regulate or incentivize their human rights compliance. Studies cover different sectors ranging from finance to extractives and air transport in Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, and Mexico and allow contrasts between companies from countries with different degrees of human rights regulation, including due diligence and supply chain laws. The work shows that states are rather hesitant to implement the UN Guiding Principles “leading by example.” The book will be essential reading for academics, researchers, and policy-makers working in the areas of international human rights law, comparative administrative law, and corporate social responsibility.

Written by international experts in the field, the contributions provide economic, political and legal perspectives to cover all aspects of international and national investment law. With regional perspectives from Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and Latin and North America, this Research Handbook offers an analytical overview of the key areas of current research interest and developments in investment law. Vitally, the expert contributors outline future and upcoming issues, as well as providing a research agenda for the topic.

This Research Handbook will be an excellent resource for researchers in academic institutions, governments and non-governmental organisations, as well as for practitioners including government officials, negotiators and practicing lawyers.

Contributors: I. Alvik, D. Atanasova, J. Baumgartner, C. Binder, D.N. Dagbanja, S.B. Danzman, E. De Brabandere, A. De Luca, A. Dimopoulos, K.F. Gómez, K. Gülay, A.R. Hippolyte, R.T. Hoffmann, L. Hsu, M. Jacobson, P. Janig, L. Johnson, M. Krajewski, K. Magraw, A. Mitchell, M. Molinuevo, P.M. Protopsaltis, S. Robert-Cuendet, G. Sacerdoti, L. Sándor, S. Schacherer, S.W. Schill, C. Titi, E. Tuerk

Volume 10 of the EYIEL focusses on the relationship between transnational labour law and international economic law on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). As one of the oldest UN Agencies, the ILO has achieved considerable progress with respect to labour rights and conditions. The contributions to EYIEL Volume 10 assess these achievements in light of current and future challenges. The ILO’s core instruments and legal documents are analysed and similarly the impact labour standards have on trade and investment agreements. 

In its regional section, EYIEL 10 addresses recent developments in the US and the EU, including the US’ trade policy strategy towards China as well as the reform of the NAFTA. In its part on institutions, EYIEL 10 focusses inter alia on the role of the rule of law in relation to current practices of the International Monetary Fund and of the WTO’s Appellate Body as an international court. Furthermore, it provides an overview of current cases before the WTO. Finally, the volume entails a section with review essays on recently published books in the field of international economic law and international investment law.

Why the card catalog—a “paper machine” with rearrangeable elements—can be regarded as a precursor of the computer.

Today on almost every desk in every office sits a computer. Eighty years ago, desktops were equipped with a nonelectronic data processing machine: a card file. In Paper Machines, Markus Krajewski traces the evolution of this proto-computer of rearrangeable parts (file cards) that became ubiquitous in offices between the world wars.

The story begins with Konrad Gessner, a sixteenth-century Swiss polymath who described a new method of processing data: to cut up a sheet of handwritten notes into slips of paper, with one fact or topic per slip, and arrange as desired. In the late eighteenth century, the card catalog became the librarian''s answer to the threat of information overload. Then, at the turn of the twentieth century, business adopted the technology of the card catalog as a bookkeeping tool. Krajewski explores this conceptual development and casts the card file as a “universal paper machine” that accomplishes the basic operations of Turing''s universal discrete machine: storing, processing, and transferring data. In telling his story, Krajewski takes the reader on a number of illuminating detours, telling us, for example, that the card catalog and the numbered street address emerged at the same time in the same city (Vienna), and that Harvard University''s home-grown cataloging system grew out of a librarian''s laziness; and that Melvil Dewey (originator of the Dewey Decimal System) helped bring about the technology transfer of card files to business.

This book presents case studies on the human rights performance of state-owned enterprises from four Latin American and three European countries, as well as foreign investments by Chinese state-owned enterprises on these continents. State-owned enterprises are considered among some of the worst perpetrators of contamination and corporate human rights violations around the globe, both domestically and abroad. This volume examines whether companies implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and how their state owners regulate or incentivize their human rights compliance. Studies cover different sectors ranging from finance to extractives and air transport in Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, and Mexico and allow contrasts between companies from countries with different degrees of human rights regulation, including due diligence and supply chain laws. The work shows that states are rather hesitant to implement the UN Guiding Principles “leading by example.” The book will be essential reading for academics, researchers, and policy-makers working in the areas of international human rights law, comparative administrative law, and corporate social responsibility.

This book presents case studies on the human rights performance of state-owned enterprises from four Latin American and three European countries, as well as foreign investments by Chinese state-owned enterprises on these continents. State-owned enterprises are considered among some of the worst perpetrators of contamination and corporate human rights violations around the globe, both domestically and abroad. This volume examines whether companies implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and how their state owners regulate or incentivize their human rights compliance. Studies cover different sectors ranging from finance to extractives and air transport in Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, and Mexico and allow contrasts between companies from countries with different degrees of human rights regulation, including due diligence and supply chain laws. The work shows that states are rather hesitant to implement the UN Guiding Principles “leading by example.” The book will be essential reading for academics, researchers, and policy-makers working in the areas of international human rights law, comparative administrative law, and corporate social responsibility.

Written by international experts in the field, the contributions provide economic, political and legal perspectives to cover all aspects of international and national investment law. With regional perspectives from Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and Latin and North America, this Research Handbook offers an analytical overview of the key areas of current research interest and developments in investment law. Vitally, the expert contributors outline future and upcoming issues, as well as providing a research agenda for the topic.

This Research Handbook will be an excellent resource for researchers in academic institutions, governments and non-governmental organisations, as well as for practitioners including government officials, negotiators and practicing lawyers.

Contributors: I. Alvik, D. Atanasova, J. Baumgartner, C. Binder, D.N. Dagbanja, S.B. Danzman, E. De Brabandere, A. De Luca, A. Dimopoulos, K.F. Gómez, K. Gülay, A.R. Hippolyte, R.T. Hoffmann, L. Hsu, M. Jacobson, P. Janig, L. Johnson, M. Krajewski, K. Magraw, A. Mitchell, M. Molinuevo, P.M. Protopsaltis, S. Robert-Cuendet, G. Sacerdoti, L. Sándor, S. Schacherer, S.W. Schill, C. Titi, E. Tuerk

Volume 10 of the EYIEL focusses on the relationship between transnational labour law and international economic law on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). As one of the oldest UN Agencies, the ILO has achieved considerable progress with respect to labour rights and conditions. The contributions to EYIEL Volume 10 assess these achievements in light of current and future challenges. The ILO’s core instruments and legal documents are analysed and similarly the impact labour standards have on trade and investment agreements. 

In its regional section, EYIEL 10 addresses recent developments in the US and the EU, including the US’ trade policy strategy towards China as well as the reform of the NAFTA. In its part on institutions, EYIEL 10 focusses inter alia on the role of the rule of law in relation to current practices of the International Monetary Fund and of the WTO’s Appellate Body as an international court. Furthermore, it provides an overview of current cases before the WTO. Finally, the volume entails a section with review essays on recently published books in the field of international economic law and international investment law.