Technical writing circa 1931

Subject: Technical writing circa 1931
From: "Thomas Quine" <quinet -at- home -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001 09:59:12 -0800

Let me share a quote with you from "Technical Writing" by T.A. Rickard
(Wiley & Sons, 1931)
>From Page 1...
"Indeed the engineer does bungle language deplorably. He makes a fetish of
efficiency, yet he shows no regard for the effective use of one of his most
important tools - the pen; he believes devoutly in accuracy, yet he employs
an instrument of precision as carelessly as a small boy handles a gun."
Extended rant snipped...
Page 3...
"In my own experience I have found that nicety of phrasing is regarded by
many engineers as effeminate..."
It's been a sneaking suspicion of mine for years that technical writing as a
profession was born out of pure annoyance with the writing of engineers...
now we may have the proof!
- Thom
www.documen.com


Thom Quine
2395 Oak St.
Vancouver, B.C.
V6H 2J8
(604) 733-3363
quinet -at- home -dot- com



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