Repository: UIHistories Project: SWE - Proceedings of the First International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists [PAGE 49]

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that makes work easier and diminishes the possibility of making mistakes, will increase output and productivity. Ergonomics has been defined as "the study of the relation of man to the environment in which he works and the application of anatomical, physiological and psychological knowledge to the problems involves". In the application of these studies to the material environment, they will form the basis for Time and Motion Study. More especially must ergonomics be applied to studies of the convenience and purposefulness of equipment, for example, to the lay-out of observational instruments and controls. The distribution of instruments and controls on the dashboard of a car - or more strikingly on the much more complicated one of an aeroplane — must ideally be such that any unnecessary movement of the eyes, the hands and arms is avoided. Instruments themselves must be of the right size, not too small - not too big, because there would not be enough room. They must be arranged in logical and unmistakeable sequence; background colors and lighting must be such that they stand out clearly and are easily legible and distinguishable without glare, so that any eyestrain or possible confusion is eliminated. At the same time the ergonomics engineer must consider the possibility of fatigue by sheer monotony. This applies, for instance, to motor-way design. Anyone who has ever driven along a fast motorway as for instance the M. 1, the connection between London and Birmingham, knows how difficult It is to keep awake on a completely straight road without any relief to attract attention. On this stretch of 70 miles, ergonomics was, unfortunately, not applied. On motorways built later in England, the lesson from this mistake has been learned. Occasional bends, graceful bridges and pretty views, far from detracting the drivers attention, keep him alert and thus prevent many an accident. Another type of work where ergonomics should be applied far more than is done at present is the presentation and make-up of instruction books, accompanying machinery and installations. Clear subdivisions, annotated drawings, uniform and unambiguous cross referencing would make it far easier for the user to follow the instruction and avoid sometimes costly mistakes, which arise not so much because the instruction was not given but because it was too difficult to find it and comprehend it. Time and Motion Study and ergonomics are now also to offices. Office furniture can already be scientifically designed. The typewriter is being altering its familiar shape, as it has been found often causes sprained wrists in typists. beginning to be applied found that has been studied with a view to that the present design

Filing systems are undergoing some modernization along scientific lines. The result is the elimination of a lot of frustration resulting from time and energy lost when looking for files. There is another aspect of the working environment that the material If psychological knowledge is applied to the problems arising out of

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