MIL. ED.It just may be that the “high tech” knowledge has, over the years, been rather slow in getting a firm foothold in our military groups.
Among the technical papers I have among a collection of such writings I have saved is a half-page, typewritten, mimeographed sheet which detailed “DIRECIONS FOR CONNECTING STANDARD TELEPHONE”.
I quote the entire missive so you can get a good grasp on the fundamental method of instruction used by the army back when the telephone was "in."
"1. CONNECT:
Red wire from telephone to red wire of telephone line. Yellow (or white) wire from telephone to yellow wire of telephone. Green (or black or blue) wire from telephone to green wire of line.
If your telephone does not ring when your number is called, reverse the red wire from telephone green wire of line, and connect the green line (or black or blue) wire from telephone to red wire of line.
IF THE ABOVE DOES NOT WORK, THEN:
CONNECT: Yellow (or white) wire of telephone to the red wire also of telephone. Connect these two wires to red wire of telephone line. Connect green(or black or blue) wire of telephone to green wire of telephone line. ( The yellow wire of the telephone is not used.)
If you are unable get the telephone to work as per above instructions , return phone to: TELEPHONE ENGINEEERING COMPANY, SIMPSON,PA. 18407. Give also the markings on bell from inside of your original telephone and the state the name of the manufacturer."
Certainly, that qualifies as a "colorful" piece of technical writing. and I have to say how grateful I am that was never called upon on install many telephones using such guidance.
Business, industry and our military services all need qualified technical writers today. The proper functioning of a product is of the secret of prosperity in that it retains old customers and develops new ones.
Andrew McCaskey Sr amccsr@comcast.net 2-24-07 [c335wds]
