What tools were used by people in the eighteenth century and earlier seen in Museum - Kaszubski Park of Ethnography them. Teodora and Izydor Gulgowski in Wdzydze Kiszewskie . However, how did they work and were they ergonomic? Specialist from the company WObit examined with the researchers from Ergonomic Design Studio of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk .
technology used
For ergonomics research, the tool has been used GRIP system by Tekscan, which WObit is a representative in Poland. It is used to measure and process pressure applied dynamically or statically on captured objects. The system provides detailed information on the pressure profile, emerging forces and graphically displays the quantitative analysis of various applications related to the grip.
W GRIP system is used a thin sensor that can be applied directly to the human hand or installed in the glove. It is equipped with 18 areas that can be individually positioned in anatomically important points of the palms and fingers. Breaks between areas allow to avoid ponds and free movement without affecting the examined object. Data from the sensor using data acquisition electronics are transferred in real time to the PC. With the help of advanced software, the measurement results can be saved, displayed and easily analyzed in the form of different graphs, film or exported to the ASCII code.
research
They use the rich collection of the Museum, containing typical for the eighteenth inhabitants of Kashubia and Kociewie household and farm equipment, scientists from Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk tested their functionality During the action with the use of the tool the researcher had a glove with GRIP system connected to a computer, and a specialist from WObit saved the results on the computer and analyzed selected areas.
results
Answering the question from the title, whether the 18th century tools were ergonomic - we do not know yet. The collected data will now be analyzed by scientists and students from the Ergonomic Design Studio in Gdańsk, who will publish the results after completing the research. For impatient readers, please visit Museum in Wdzydze and conduct subjective empirical research.
Thank you for cooperating with the Ergonomic Design Studio at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk and the Museum - Kashubian Ethnographic Park. T. and I. Gulgowski in Wdzydze Kiszewskie.
Photos provided courtesy of the Ergonomic Design Studio in Gdansk
