Abstract
The Inspec Archive, the fully searchable electronic backfile to the Inspec Database, is far more usable, flexible, durable and more readily available than the 176 volumes (and over 140000 pages) of the printed Science Abstracts Journals. It is now easier to locate references to historic research or engineering breakthroughs from hundreds of scientists and engineers such as Albert Einstein, Guglielmo Marconi, Max Planck, Ernest Rutherford and Marie Curie. Not only does the Archive give access to the work of famous scientists, it also gives access to the often forgotten works (sometimes known as quot;sleeping beautiesquot;) that may be of use in assessing the validity of current patents. An idea suggested decades ago that did not develop then, may be of relevance today.The Archive is being used by contemporary researchers because it is rich in the early research for some of today's current 'hot' topics, including frugal innovation, fuel cells, regenerative braking, energy harvesting and wireless power transfer.
