Object Details
- Description
- This is a score sheet for a test described in one contemporary newspaper as a “method for measuring the speed in an individual’s fingers.” It required a rectangular board with an array of holes, a set of pins that fit into the holes, and a set of tweezers. In one part of the test, the subject was asked to fit the pins into the holes as rapidly as possible, lifting them with fingers. In the other subjects lifted pins with a pair of tweezers. The test was developed by Johnson O’Connor (1891-1973) of General Electric and the Stevens Institute of Technology and Mildred Hines. It was initially used to test the dexterity of women shop workers.
- This single undated paper sheet is labeled “Rehab #11” which suggests that it was used as part of a rehabilitation program. The test was used in that context from at least the mid-1940s.
- Versions of the test are still sold today.
- Johnson O’Connor is better known for his “wiggly block” test. For an example of it, and biographical information, see MA.316372.09. On other tests he developed at General Electric see MA.316371.012.
- For two rehabilitation test score sheets that appear to be part of the same series, see 1989.0710.70 and 1989.0710.71.
- References:
- Bingham, Walter V., Aptitudes and Aptitude Testing, New York and London: Harper Brothers, 1942, pp. 281-284. At this time the test was distributed by the Stevens Institute of Technology.
- Hines, Mildred and O’Connor, Johnson, “A Measure of Finger Dexterity,” Journal of Personnel Research, 1926, 4, pp. 379-382.
- Berkeley Daily Gazette, February 26, 1926, p. 4.
- O’Connor, J. Born That Way, Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins Co., 1928. Here the author acknowledged Mildred M. Hines, Caryl G. Howe, Francis L. Keane and Evelyn M. Gill as “my collaborators in these researches.” He discusses the development of a variety of tests, including both the finger and the tweezer form of the dexterity test.
- U.S. Federal Security Administration, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, ed. Salvadore G. DiMichael, Vocational Rehabilitation of the Mentally Retarded, 1950, pp. 153-154.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of David Gold
- ID Number
- 1989.0710.70
- accession number
- 1989.0710
- catalog number
- 1989.0710.70
- Object Name
- sheet
- Physical Description
- paper (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 21.5 cm x 28 cm; 8 15/32 in x 11 1/32 in
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Mathematics
- Science & Mathematics
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Psychological Tests
- Record ID
- nmah_692563
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-14d7-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
