The Surprisingly Inhuman Origins of the Index
Throughout history, humans have devised countless ways to manage information. But one of the biggest breakthroughs was blocked by an unexpected obstacle: human nature.
To overcome our natural instincts, we had to think differently—and thus was born one of the most transformative tools in the evolution of book indexes: the index itself.
Written by a lifelong history enthusiast who enjoys exploring the stories behind forgotten inventions, this article reflects personal insights and readings from well-respected works in the field of bibliographic history.
This article references academic works including “Index, A History of the” by Dennis Duncan and “Too Much to Know” by Ann Blair. The author is not a professional indexer but has studied these works extensively as a passionate reader and writer.
Why Human Nature Stood in the Way
It might sound dramatic to say that indexing required abandoning human nature, but it’s true. The invention of alphabetical order in history and page numbers wasn’t intuitive. These tools prioritized mechanical sorting over meaning, giving rise to a new way of reading and referencing books.
Books Were Meant to Be Read, Not Searched
Before the 1200s, books were rare, sacred, and meant for complete reading—not quick reference. People murmured sacred texts aloud, memorizing their contents. The idea of flipping through pages to “find” something would have seemed absurd.
Silent reading didn’t become widespread until the 19th century. In indexing in medieval times, books were tools for spiritual and philosophical contemplation, not searchable databases. But that changed thanks to monastic orders like the Dominicans and Franciscans. They needed to answer everyday questions using scripture—fast.
The Birth of the External Index
Rather than memorizing the entire Bible, monks created external indexes—early concordances—to locate key concepts quickly. This shift is similar to how smartphones replaced our need to memorize phone numbers. It marked a turning point in how indexing changed reading.
Two Radical, Inhuman Ideas
1. Page numbers: In ancient times, books were scrolls or handwritten volumes with no consistent layout. The idea of assigning numbers to pages ignored meaning and focused only on physical structure—a milestone in how page numbers were invented.
2. Alphabetical order: Although alphabets existed, no one used them to sort information. Organizing names or topics by first letter meant ignoring a person’s importance or the subject’s weight—an intentionally cold, logical system in the evolution of book indexes.
Linking Indexes to Computer Science
Indexing’s logic lives on in tech. Concepts like indexing and information retrieval are central to computing. Page numbers resemble memory addresses. Alphabetical sorting mirrors the logic of search algorithms. The method of Divide and Conquer in computer science echoes these early innovations.
Humor in Expert Indexing
Indexing is serious work, but not without charm. One book’s 80-page index included jokes—like listing
“Here”
and cross-referencing it with
“There”
and
“Yonder.”
The final Z entry read
“ZZZ and so to bed.”
A delightful example of why indexes are important—and why they still reflect the human touch despite their mechanical origins.
Conclusion
The story of the index is more than a tale of organization—it’s a testament to how seemingly cold logic can revolutionize how we read, learn, and access knowledge.
FAQ: The History and Impact of Indexing
Q1. When did book indexes first appear?
The earliest book indexes began to appear in the 13th century, especially in religious texts. Monks created concordances to find biblical passages quickly, marking the beginning of indexing in medieval times.
Q2. Why is the invention of page numbers considered revolutionary?
Page numbers allowed readers to reference content based on physical layout rather than meaning. This how page numbers were invented insight helped standardize books and made indexing possible.
Q3. How did alphabetical order become a sorting method?
Although alphabets existed, using them to arrange entries logically was new. The adoption of alphabetical order in history helped systematize vast amounts of information, especially in libraries and encyclopedias.
Q4. How did indexing change the way we read?
Indexes allowed readers to find specific information without reading an entire book. This shift in how indexing changed reading marked a move from immersive to selective reading.
Q5. What’s the link between traditional indexing and computer science?
Modern computing relies on similar principles. Indexing and information retrieval are central to database performance, search engines, and memory management, mirroring how early book indexes worked.
Q6. Can book indexes include humor?
Yes! Some expert indexers include playful entries, like “ZZZ and so to bed.” These examples remind us that even a logical system can have a human touch—showing why indexes are important beyond just function.