AmericanTech.org
Title
American Technical Publishers - Textbooks for Vocational Instruction and Training
Description
Our company was founded in 1898 in Boston, Massachusetts, by Mr. R. T. Miller, Jr., as American Technical Society (ATS) to publish instructional materials to be used by the American School of Correspondence, which was founded by Mr. Miller in 1897. Mr. Miller founded these companies based on the belief that all Americans should have the opportunity to receive a high school diploma and learn the job skills required to prepare them for the working world.
In 1902, Mr. Miller moved the companies to Chicago. The building at 58th Street and Drexel Avenue, formerly occupied by the American School of Correspondence, was constructed in 1907 to house both companies. Today, this Arts and Crafts-influenced building is officially recognized as a Chicago Landmark. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, publishing and marketing efforts were expanded to include material for trade bookstores. Mr. Miller served as president of ATS until his retirement in 1940.
With the advent of World War II, the primary publishing efforts of ATS were changed from material for trade bookstores and home study to vocational training materials for preparation of industrial workers for the war effort. Mr. D. N. McCarl, who was employed by ATS in 1922 and served as president from 1966 until his retirement in 1980, recognized the need for vocational training material in the public school market. Many of the books and study guides used for the war training effort were revised to meet this need.
