Introduction

Ergonomics developed into a recognized field during the Second World War, when for the first time, technology and the human sciences were systematically applied in a co-ordinated manner. Physiologists, psychologists, anthropologists, medical doctors, work scientists and engineers together addressed the problems arising from the operation of complex military equipment. The results of this inter-disciplinary approach appeared so promising that the cooperation was pursued after the war, in industry. Interest in the approach grew rapidly, especially in Europe and the United States, leading to the foundation in England of the first ever national ergonomics society in 1949, which is when the term ‘ergonomics’ was adopted. This was followed in 1961 by the creation of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA), which at present represents ergonomics societies which are active in 40 countries or regions, with a total membership of some 15 000 people.