Judith Flanders

Judith Flanders, author of "A Place for Everything," explores the history and evolution of alphabetical order. She discusses how, in ancient Rome and medieval Europe, information was organized differently—often by memory aids like chronology or geography. Flanders reveals the cultural shifts that made alphabetical arrangement a default in modern times. The conversation also dives into Melville Dewey's legacy, including the quirks and controversies surrounding the Dewey Decimal System, and how it still shapes libraries today.