What is the history of modern technical writing?
Technical writing has been around since the first technical writer, Cro-Magnon man, was drawing on cave walls. Some joke that it’s the world’s “other” oldest profession! However, most experts would agree that the golden age of technical writing started with the invention of the computer.
Here are some of the major milestones in technical writing history since the 1940s.
1949
Joseph D. Chapline wrote a user’s manual for the BINAC computer. He became the first technical writer of computer documentation.
1951
An ad for a technical writer was first published in the “Help Wanted” ads.
1952
Joseph D. Chapline documented the UNIVAC computer, using examples to document its functions.
1960
Technology continued to grow. This growth was especially clear in the electronics, aeronautics, and space industries. It has created a big upsurge in demand for technical writers.
1964
Marshall McLuhan published Understanding Media, proclaiming that electronic communication media will soon turn the world into a “global village.”
1965
Ted Nelson coined the terms “hypertext” and “hypermedia.” He described a model of non-sequential writing and accessing information. This model stresses the connections among ideas.
1975
The U.S. Government required all product warranties to be stated clearly and unambiguously.
1976
The Modern Language Association (MLA) approved a panel on technical writing at its annual conference.
1980
In an immigration case involving the question of the occupation classification of a technical publications writer, the U.S. Department of Justice ruled that technical writing is a profession.
1986
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) released the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). This language became the basis of several subset markup languages, including HTML.
1987
Early desktop publishing started to appear on writers’ desktops. Page layout software, including products like Ventura Publisher, Interleaf, FrameMaker, and Aldus PageMaker, became available.
1991
ISO 9000 certification requirements created new job opportunities for technical writers.
1992
ProEdit is founded in Atlanta, GA by a group of technical writers who worked at Unisys Corporation. ProEdit continues to be a leader in the technical writing, course development, and editing industries.
(Yes, we HAD to throw that one in there! Just checking to see if you were still awake.)
1999
Writers began using XML, an “eXtensible Markup Language” that is evolving from HTML.
2002
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 creates new opportunities for technical writers documenting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
2010
Agile development and DevOps practices have risen. This increased the demand for technical writers. They need to be embedded in software teams to work in real-time with developers and engineers. The focus shifted toward lean documentation, minimalism, and continuous documentation updates.
2014
DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) is an XML-based standard for writing structured content. It gained broader adoption, particularly in enterprise environments. This allows technical content to be reused, localized, and delivered across multiple channels.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to remote work, making asynchronous documentation and clear internal communication essential. Tools like Confluence, Notion, and Git-based documentation platforms saw significant growth in use.
2021
Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing tools started to support technical writers. These tools include those powered by OpenAI, like GPT models. They assist in drafting, editing, and automating parts of documentation processes. AI-assisted writing became a productivity enhancer, particularly for generating first drafts, summarizing complex material, and checking for clarity and tone.
2023
Markdown-based documentation frameworks (e.g., Docs-as-Code) became more mainstream, especially in open-source and developer-centric environments. Writers increasingly collaborated with developers in platforms like GitHub and GitLab. AI tools were increasingly integrated directly into writing and content platforms, offering suggestions in real-time and automating style guide compliance.
2024
AI-driven documentation tools matured further. Some platforms offer automated content updates. They also provide dynamic document generation from codebases or databases and intelligent content reuse. Technical writers began to take on roles as curators and editors of AI-generated content, ensuring accuracy, tone, and usability. The role continues to evolve into content designer. It is also becoming a UX writer and information architect. This change reflects the growing intersection of technical communication with user experience, design thinking, and content strategy.
So what does the future hold for technical writing?
Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. The future of technical writing promises to be both dynamic and interdisciplinary. Technical writers will increasingly work alongside AI tools, not as replacements, but as collaborators. They will enhance speed, consistency, and scalability. Human skill will be relied upon for nuance, accuracy, and user empathy.
The lines between technical writing, UX design, and content strategy will continue to blur. This blurring will open up new career paths and opportunities for specialization. Documentation is becoming more interactive, visual, and user-centered. The role of the technical writer will become more vital than ever. Technical writers will continue to help bridge the gap between complex technologies and the people who use them.
See also:
Technical Writing: A Guide for Businesses and Teams