An information system won the war

The paper describes the `information system´ that supported the activities of the fighter pilots during the Battle of Britain in order to illustrate fundamental ideas about the organised provision of information support. Although developed 60 years ago and not generally recognised as an `information system´, it offers a paradigm case for the development of computer-based information systems: namely, a collaborative learning process between designers and users focused on information support to purposeful action. It clearly illustrates that IS is not IT. The paper concludes with four principles for IS development