Surveys the history of elementary-school technology education from the establishment of industrial arts in the progressive era through the 1990s. Considers repeated patterns of historical impediments to its widespread implementation and identifies failure to resolve recurring issues in the field. (JOW)

The early intentions of Russell, Bonser, and Mossman to have industrial arts be a study of society and culture were never realized. Today, technology education continues to emphasize the technical aspects of industry and technology and not the social dimensions. (SK)

Both Lois Coffey Mossman and Frederick Bonser had great influence on the development of industrial arts in the early 20th century. Problems facing technology education today were addressed then and are related to the gap between theory and practice. (SK)

Argues that the philosophy and strategies of technology education are not new. They have existed for years as the ideals of industrial arts. Suggests that technology education should be viewed as the final realization of the promise of industrial arts. (SK)

An historical review suggests that the current state of practical and vocational education is not unique. History shows that popular programs such as school-to-work and tech prep will not endure if past mistakes such as indecision and inability to change are repeated. (SK)

The history of technology and industrial education in the United States provides lessons that should be heeded if current advances such as tech prep are to succeed. Practical, vocation-oriented education has been an urgent objective for U.S. education three times in the 20th century. At the turn of the century, manual training (later manual arts)…

Far and away, the issue causing the most concern--and the most excitement--among technology educators is "engineering." Some technology teachers see engineering as an invigorating new direction for the field. To them, engineering is the pinnacle of technological careers, and "engineering education" is a logical step forward for the profession…

The history of industrial arts (IA) and technology education (TE) was examined to identify those points in the history of industrial education in the United States that have been interpreted in multiple ways or that are contradicted by other historical information. The evolution of IA was traced from the time period leading up to the 1920s, with…