This document provides an overview of the history and development of the Index to Plant Taxonomic Literature (IPTL) and its electronic archive (TL-2). It notes key individuals involved like Frans Stafleu, Richard Cowan, and Dan Nicolson, and important milestones such as the creation of the printed index (ING) in 1967 and the conversion to an electronic database (TL-2) containing over 1.2 million records. It also includes a quote from Richard Cowan expressing his hope that the electronic archive would be maintained indefinitely as an important international resource.

2. Pritzel, ed. 2
(1871-1882)

3. IH, pt. 1 (1952)

4. Frans A. Stafleu
(1921-1997)

5. ING title page
ING (1967)

6. “It is unfair that you
have so much
information which
is confined to this
room” – Grady L.
Webster,1964.

7. TL (1967)

8. Richard S.
Cowan
(1921-1997)
Insert B&W
image of Dick
Cowan

9. TL-2 (1976-
2009)

10. Washington Monument
(170 m tall)
TL-2 Archive
1.2 million data sheets
235 m tall!

11. Dan H. Nicolson
(b. 1933)
Insert B&W
image of Dan

13. “I have dared dream that younger hands
would convert the contents of TL-2 to an
electronic data base which could then be
supplemented, corrected, and maintained
indefinitely as an international resource …
in my opinion there will never be a TL-3 of
any other sort.” – Richard S. Cowan,1990.

14. L. J. Dorr, Botany Department,
NMNH, Smithsonian Institution
23 February 2012
Image credits:
Cowan (Smithsonian Institution Archives,
Image #92-3578)
Nicolson (Mike Bordelon, Smithsonian
Institution)
Stafleu (Taxon 37: 513. 1988)
Webster (Elaine Miller, Syst. Bot. 31: 1. 2006)