Journal of Business and Technical Communication Oct 1998

The Value of Technical Documentation as an Aid in Training: The Case of the United States Lighthouse Board

MAX L. LOGES

Abstract

This article examines the value added to the United States Lighthouse Service by the operator's manuals, which were issued to the lighthouse keepers by the Light-House Board in 1852. Subsequent reports of the board to Congress conclusively show that the manuals resulted in a significant savings in the operating costs of the service. In addition, annual reports of district superintendents show that the instructional information improved the appearance and reliability of the lights. Furthermore, the manuals helped to reduce significantly the number of marine disasters along America's shores in the years following the board's decision.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
1998-10-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651998012004002
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Topics
technical communication
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (4)

  1. Brewer et al. (2012)
    Introduction to the special section: Navigating the boundaries in global traini…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Loges (2011)
    Verbal Abuse in the Army of the Cumberland: William Rosecrans' Acid Tongue as a…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Malone (2007)
    Historical Studies of Technical Communication in the United States and England:…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Loges (2002)
    General Burnside and His Orders for the Battle of Fredericksburg: Lessons in Ho…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (26)

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Show all 26 →
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CrossRef global citation count: 6 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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