The Continental index card system
Two great works of the 20th century - one literary, the other scientific and both testifying to the stupendous erudition and cast-iron memory of their creators (Arno Schmidt and Niklas Luhmann) - were born from the card index box: Both authors, favored by temperament and the grace of early birth, did not run the risk of being seduced to the computer in the first place and thus escaped the information-technological attack on their creative power, which lies in the fact that the tool swallows up a considerable part of that attention that should actually go to the "workpiece".
Back to the index card? Yes, in flat view.
For planning and structuring work, we recommend returning to the index card: in flat view. While electronic outliners, schedulers and calendars switch the user to "form filler" mode, an index card methodology forces the user to create structures and look for cross-connections. The mobile, structured memory on paper has significant advantages: As you fill it in, you come to your senses (and can scratch your head with a pencil to reinforce ideas). And when you call it up, it is simply there without having to boot up a device, open an app or establish a network connection. It's always in view and to hand.
The Continental flat screen index
We have revived an old principle here: the flat view book, in which 12 index cards (A7) are held scaled in portrait or landscape format so that the label line of each individual card remains visible. This results in a highly mobile, constantly informative and work-ready information store that reveals its contents at a glance, can signal priorities if the cards are properly organized and where the card can be easily removed for processing purposes. The flat card holder is made of 250g document board, the overlapping insertion levels increase the cardboard thickness due to the design. It has four metal-reinforced perforations and can be used in portrait format with our Continental file folder and in landscape format with the Continental ring binder. The respective pages in portrait and landscape format are reinforced with linen.
12 index cards are included.
Continental index cards double format
Our index cards designed for a flat view system are ideal for logging and note-taking work: the front side is in A7 portrait format with a title line at the top and is intended for filing in our flat view card index, the back side has the classic landscape format in which the card is filed in standard A7 card index and archive boxes.
The portrait-format front side is always used for structuring (an agenda, agenda, to-do list), while the landscape-format back side holds the corresponding minutes or progress notes. The methodical possibilities of the system are inexhaustible. You could organize 12 problem or project tracking cards in it. The next 5 concrete steps (from call to elaboration) in the respective project are noted on each one. Or: some of the shed cards can be used to schedule appointments for the next few weeks, while others can be used to prepare for upcoming meetings (and the reverse side can be used to record the minutes). Completed cards go into archive boxes and fill a long-term paper memory (even if - filed chronologically - it is a diary with a lot of content).
Continental ring binder black
The ring binder is made of 2 mm thick, deep black, through-dyed hard cardboard from Eska and is ideal for holding our Continental flat files in landscape format. Fixed with an elastic band, the ring binder can also be placed horizontally and thus serves as a permanent organizational tool on the desk.
The Continental file folder. Made in Germany.
The main difference between our file folder and its relatives on the office supplies market is the material: Made from 2 mm thick deep black through-dyed hardboard from Eska in contrast to the usual paper-laminated folders. The folder has two grip holes, each 48 mm from the top and bottom edges. We include a sheet with 3 file spine labels, as well as a dimension sheet for printing and a type holder. Its robust mechanism comes from IML in Italy. We have secured a stock of these and also offer them as an exchange set of 3.
The two grip holes of the Continental binder have the advantage that the binder can also be pulled out of low shelves by the upper grip hole, or from boxes in which it is transported standing upright. Left-handers can also use the folder intuitively. In the latter case, the ring mechanism is also on the left-hand side. Handle holes, slots for the ring mechanism and the edges are metal-reinforced on the top and bottom edges.
Archive box filing tray
This is the classic card index tray, in which cards are filed in landscape format according to an organization principle (date, alphabet, subject). It is made of cardboard and holds 150 cards. Like our folder made of 2 mm thick, deep black, through-dyed hard cardboard from Eska. Supplied with 150 cards.
Double-high and perforated: The Continental excerpt bookmark
Two easily separable, double-height index cards with a perforation for storing reading material: on the front in portrait format, the author and title and the quotation or "to be clarified" findings with page reference. On the reverse, in landscape format, your own notes on the reading or references to reviews. When closed, the 21 cm high double format remains in the book as a bookmark. Finally, the two A7 index cards, which are then separated and filled with page references and notes, go into the reading archive.