ISBN

ISBN

Noun (abbreviation) · /ˌaɪ.es.biːˈen/

Definition

International Standard Book Number; a unique thirteen-digit (formerly ten-digit) numerical identifier assigned to each edition of a published book.

Origin

The International Standard Book Number system was created by Gordon Foster at Trinity College Dublin in 1966, originally as a nine-digit system for W.H. Smith. It became the ISO 2108 standard in 1970 as a ten-digit system, and expanded to thirteen digits in 2007 to align with the EAN barcode system.