Johnrel M.

Villanueva BSC-3A

The Evolution of Technical Writing

(History of Technical Writing)

Technical writing has a long history. Technical communicators must

possess a certain set of abilities in order to work in this sector. Technical
writers have acted as intermediaries between those who produce technology
and those who utilize it for ages. Where does technical writing originate,
though? What's the age of it?Antiquity
It all began in antiquity. Aristotle is credited with creating the first examples of
technical writing (384-322BC). Archaeologists were able to recover a few fragments of
his technical writings, including a glossary of philosophic words and a summary of
Pythagoras' "Doctrines." The works of Aristotle are regarded the oldest examples of
technical writing.

Middle Ages
Geoffrey Chaucer (1343–1400) authored the earliest example of a technical text
published in English. It was a scientific book about the astrolabe, an instrument used to
calculate the position of a ship and measure the distances of stars, planets, and other
celestial bodies. During his career as a novelist, philosopher, and astronomer, his work
earned him acclaim.

Renaissance
Theoretical understanding of Antiquity was applied practically
throughout the Renaissance. Many inventions, such as the mechanical
printing press in the 15th century, necessitated the creation of a new
technology journal. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) and Isaac Newton (1642-
1727) were famous inventors and scientists who created records detailing
their inventions and results. These texts were significant in the development of
modern technical writing and communication styles.

Age of Reason
 During the Industrial Revolution, more complicated innovations became possible.
Only the inventors knew how to operate their new equipment at the time. People
needed to learn how to use the inventions before they could be tested and adopted into
regular life. Unlike in the past, when talents were passed down orally, scribes who could
document these technologies were in high demand.

XX Century
The golden age of technical writing began with World War I, when nuclear
technology were updated and medical and aircraft advancements advanced. The fast
rise of these technologies, along with the urgency of war, necessitated the creation of
records that documented their use.
Following WWII, technical advancements led to a rise in consumer goods and
living standards. Libraries, universities, and transportation systems grew rapidly after
WWII, necessitating the need for writers to document these developments.
In 1947, the transistor was discovered, allowing for more affordable computer
production. They are now affordable to consumers and small companies. As a result,
there was an increased demand for authors who could explain and record these
gadgets.
An instruction manual for the BINAC computer, authored by Joseph D. Chapline
in 1949, was the earliest documented computational technical document.
The Society of Technical Writers and Editors, as well as the Association of
Technical Writers and Editors, were both created in 1953. The Society for Technical
Communication is the name given to them today (STC).
Technology advanced rapidly during the 1960s, especially in the fields of
electronics, aeronautics, and space exploration. Consumer electronics became more
prevalent in people's lives during the 1970s and 1980s. The demand for technical
writers was at an all-time high during these decades.
At its annual conference in 1976, the Modern Language Association (MLA)
adopted a technical writing panel. In 1980, the United States of America (US) Technical
writing has been recognized as a profession by the Department of Justice. PCs
appeared in the workplace in the 1980s, followed by hefty manuals with titles like "Guide
to Operation."

XXI Century
How-to books and guides became increasingly popular in the 2000s. Tooltips and
product tours were added to applications and programs in the 2010s, and web
assistance grew even more advanced.
 Every area, from building to food processing and preservation, now requires
technical documentation. For any product or software, documentation and user
instructions are deemed essential. As the decades and centuries passed, numerous
technology platforms were built and made usable with unique features and capabilities,
resulting in the evolution of technical writing.