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Rolodex
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Rolodex is a rotating file device used to store business contact information (the name is a portmanteau of Rolling and Index) currently manufactured by Newell Rubbermaid. The Rolodex holds specially shaped index cards; the user writes the contact information for one person or company on each card. Many users avoid the effort of writing by taping the contact's business card directly to the Rolodex index card. Some companies have produced business cards in the shape of Rolodex cards, as a marketing idea.
The Rolodex was invented by Arnold Neustadter in 1958. Neustadter also invented Autodex, a phone directory book that automatically opened to the right letter, Swivodex, an inkwell that did not spill, Punchodex, a paper hole puncher, and Clipodex, a stenographer's aid that attached to the knee.
Rolodexes are still common, despite many computer applications that perform the same function.
The name rolodex has become somewhat genericized for any personal organizer performing this function.