Technological progress sometimes makes certain professions disappear, but for drafting technicians it mostly changed the way they work. Instead of replacing them, new tools simply made their workspaces smaller and more efficient. The release of AutoCAD in 1982 marked a turning point, and by 1994 more than 750 training centers around the world were already teaching it.
Before computer-aided design, drafting was done entirely by hand. Technicians relied on pencils, erasers, T-squares, and a variety of other tools, and the process often required far more time and patience. The photos below capture that era perfectly—you can almost imagine the sound of paper sliding across drawing boards.
Today, architectural, electrical, and other drafters mostly work digitally, creating precise designs with just a mouse and keyboard. Scroll down to see what drafting looked like in the old days. (H/T)
Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our top stories.
Leave a comment