Herbert Marvin Ohlman

Life

Herbert Marvin Ohlman (1927-2002)

Image of Herbert Marvin Ohlman

Relevant Employment

• Battelle
• SDC
• Lockheed
• Itek
• IBM
• Xerox

Contributions

Ohlman was co-developer (with H.P. Luhn) of KWIC/permutation indexing in 1957-58, which was done in parallel to Luhn's work. He wrote programmed texts to teach computer simulation language. He also developed a system to compare diverse information systems (activity spectrum). His professional interests included: analysis, design, evaluation of information systems.

Ohlman worked at: Battelle 1955-57; SDC 1957-60; Lockheed 1960-61; IBM 1961-62; Itek 1963-64; Xerox 1964-67; Cemrel 1967-69. He was also a consultant in information science and technology 1969-?. He wrote programmed texts to teach computer simulation language 1962. He organized and directed programs in computers in education, 1968. Additional biographical information about Ohlman may be found in the following article: Robert V. Williams (2010), Hans Peter Luhn and Herbert M. Ohlman: Their Roles in the Origins of Keyword-in-Context/Permutation Automatic Indexing. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 61(4), 835-849.

Offices

• ASIS
  • Special Group on Education for Information Science | Chairman, 1966-67
  • Special Interest Group on Information Retention | Chairman, 1967

Papers

Location #1 Babbage Insitute, University of Minnesota

• Papers dates:
• Size:
• Includes: Some papers relating to his work at SDC may be found in the SDC archives; See separate SDC entry.
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Location #2

• Papers dates:
• Size:
• Includes: Still has some papers in his personal possession.

• Finding aid:
• Source: Phone conversation with Ohlman, 9/96.