Studies in the History of Human Factors Ergonomics

Abstract

This is continuation of studies of the history and characteristics of human factors ergonomics (HFE). Earlier studies had analyzed the annual meeting programs of the Human Factors Society from 1959 to 1970 and empirical papers (those that tested subjects) that were published in Human Factors and in the Proceedings of the annual meetings of the Society. Every discipline has a history, and it is important to examine that history in terms of what its professionals publish and consider, because this enables one to see how and in which direction the discipline is moving. A historical analysis serves as a sort of feedback, if one thinks of the discipline as a special type of conceptual system.