rolodex

A Rolodex is a rotating file used to store contact information on index cards. Classic desktop models feature a circular or cylindrical card rack mounted on a stand with a central axis; cards are organized alphabetically and by tab headings. Each card typically includes a person’s name, company or organization, address, phone number, and optional notes. The cards are designed to be fanned and rotated to locate a contact quickly, without opening a digital device.

The term Rolodex originated as a brand name that has become a generic reference to this type of desk accessory. The device was widely marketed in the United States during the mid-20th century and became a common element in offices, reception areas, and sales desks before personal computers and contact management software.

Design variants include desktop Rolodex units with multiple sections for different alphabets, as well as wall-mounted or portable versions. Over time, digital contact management systems—CRM software, smartphone contacts, cloud-based directories—superseded most physical Rolodex usage, but analog card files remain in some offices for archival or stylistic reasons.

In cultural terms, the Rolodex has come to symbolize business networks and the practical challenge of organizing information before digital tools.