The Sh*t L*st

Pentagon Says Bush Records of Service Were Destroyed (NY Times)

payroll records of "numerous service members," including former First Lt. Bush, had been ruined in 1996 and 1997 by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service during a project to salvage deteriorating microfilm. No back-up paper copies could be found, it added in notices dated June 25.

...Bryan Hubbard, a spokesman for Defense finance agency in Denver, said the destruction occurred as the office was trying to unspool 2,000-foot rolls of fragile microfilm. Mr. Hubbard said he did not know how many records were lost or why the loss had not been announced before.

From censusresearch.com:

There are 3 main types of microfilm: Silver Halide, Diazo, and Vesicular.

Silver microfilm has been designated as the preferred format for archival purposes. Though not as clear a film as diazo, its durability (75 - 100 years) has often made it the format of choice for research libraries.

Diazo film is a cost-effective alternative to Silver. With a higher contrast image, diazo copies made from Silver Masters, are often of better quality than the original. With a shelf life of about 40 to 50 years they offer good durability at a much lower cost.

Vesicular, a pale milky blue film, is easier for manufacturers to produce but its appearance generally leaves a negative first impression on customers. Surprisingly, it produces a relatively good image.

Microfilm should not be unspooled with acid, razor, or open flame.