8 Ergonomics in the Automotive Design Process
HISTORY
Origins Of ergOnOmics and human factOrs engineering
Prehistoric Times and Functional Changes in Products
The history of ergonomics goes back to the designing of tools used by the prehistoric man. These
tools developed in the prehistoric era evolved over many years. Many generations of families mas-
tered certain trades and became “craftsmen.” Certain designs that were functional lived on. Useless
tools were not remade. Changes were made for functional improvements. Thus, when considering
future product improvements, we should not introduce any design change for the sake of change.
Changes should be only made if functional improvements can be achieved.
Air Force Research
After World War II, t ...