ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1 it was shown why knowledge of comfort is important. This knowledge could support the design of products such as seats, vehicles, and hand tools and increase sales, but it could also help prevent injuries of the back, shoulders, and arms. In this chapter the knowledge available in the literature on comfort related to seat, hand tool and vehicle interior design is described. The first sections concern the general theory, including an overview of what is under debate in the literature
and on the consensus found in research. After that a model is described, followed by the theory applied to products related to sitting, hand tools, and vehicle interiors.
The meaning of the word
