Psychology and the Instrument Panel


Designing indicators, switches and other controls to fit the abilities of the men who will use them is a joint problem for psychologists and engineers
by Alphonse Chapanis
OUR MACHINES have become so complicated that we have been forced in recent years to start a new branch of technology: namely, re-tailoring the machines to the abilities and limitations of human beings. This activity, called human engineering, is a new departure in the application of psychological principles to industry. Up to now the main emphasis has been on selecting and training the best man for the job. Human engineering tries to fit the job to the man—any man.