Recent years have witnessed considerable research activity in communication theory by a number of workers both here and abroad. In view of the widespread interest in this field, Dean L. N. Ridenour suggested the present volume consisting of two papers on this subject.
The first paper has not previously been printed in its present form, although a condensation appeared in Scientific American, July, 1949. In part, it consists of an expository introduction to the panoramic view of the field before entering into the more mathematical aspects. In addition, some ideas are suggested for broader application of the fundamental principles of communication theory.
The second paper is reprinted from the Bell System Technical Journal, July and October, 1948, with no changes except the correction of minor errata and the inclusion of some additional references. It is intended that subsequent developments in the field will be treated in a projected work dealing with more general aspects of information theory.
It gives us pleasure to express our thanks to Dean Ridenour for making this book possible and to the University of Illinois Press for their splendid cooperation.
C. E. Shannon
W. Weaver