How Were Graphs and Charts Prepared in the 1950s?

[moon_custafer]

Searches: graphs and charts 1950s gouache
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hand-drwan graphs in the 1950s
office graphs before desktop printingThis is one of those things you never think about until it comes up -- I assume that prior to

Comments

[lanalucy]

I can't speak to how the charts or graphs might be created, though I suspect whatever were presented would be created by hand, with the math done with a pencil and paper.

As for the job description bit, back in the 'olden days' people were not so moany about things being in or out of their job description. It was far more common for people to only ever work one or two jobs in their entire adults lives, and when something needed done, people pitched in, whether or not it was their "job" to do so. The corporate culture was much more collaborative, though decidedly more straight-white-male.

[moon_custafer]

Yeah, I figured anybody could be required to do anything, I was just a bit paranoid that some reader would think "why isn't a secretary doing that?" or some such.

These two characters, er, aren't so straight, but as they're a bit shy (and given the period, in no hurry to risk barking up the wrong tree), I'm having to go to great lengths to get them alone together long enough for them to figure out that the attraction is mutual. ; )

[lilacsigil]

My dad was a draughtsman in the late 60s onwards and was pulled in to do jobs outside his actual work fairly often when he was a junior and drawing up neat graphs was definitely one of them. He had stencil sets and Letraset to do it (which was great for me as a kid using the leftover Letraset letters!) I remember him complaining that they did a graph in a report once and now head office wanted graphs on everything and the accountants didn't know how to draw them!

[inamac]

Thanks for the reminder about stencils! And French curves and the rest of the pre-computer paraphernalia!

[inamac]

I studied architecture in the 70s, and my partner was librarian to a firm of architects in the 60s. What everyone else has said about the rarity of having charts as a matter of course. If the accountant felt they were necessary he'd draw them himself on squared up graph paper (that's why it's called graph paper) and attach it to the paperwork.

If the company wanted a posh wall chart to show their progress (and it would more likely be 'number of commissions per year' than value), they'd probably get an architectural technician something using Rotring pens and hand lettering (Letraset was a late introduction, and in any case extremely expensive for anything other than last-minute work for a major client), part of an architect's training included hand lettering.

Partner says that one of the senior draughtsmen in her office had such beautiful hand lettering that he was asked to do it on projects that were not his own, for important clients.