The Changing Human Factors Dimension Over Time

The consideration of human factors in technology has existed since the first man shaped a wooden spear with a sharp rock to help him grasp it more firmly. It therefore stands to reason that the dimension of human factors has changed over time with advancing technology—a trend that has accelerated throughout the 20th century and into the current one.[296]

Man’s earliest requirements for using his primitive tools and weapons gave way during the Industrial Revolution to more refined needs in oper­ating more complicated tools and machines. During this period, the emer­gence of more complex machinery necessitated increased consideration of the needs of the humans who were to operate this machinery—even

if it was nothing more complicated than providing a place for the oper­ator to sit, or a handle or step to help this person access instruments and controls. In the years after the Industrial Revolution, human fac­tors concerns became increasingly important.[297]