I have found a copy of a “Production Systems for Architects & Engineers, Inc.” MASTERSPEC TOC from 1974. It is an interested view into the wayback machine…
The Section numbers are 3 to 4 digits:
Site Prep: 2A0, for example. Soil treatment for termites is 2U1; Landscape work is 2V0. Glass and Glazing is 8A0. 10A0 is Toilet Partitions and Accessories, 10C1 is Cubicle Curtains. Church pews are in Division 11, 11L5, not in Division 12. Access floors are in Division 10, 10P1, not in Division 09.
It also states that “A separate TOC for Divisions 15 and 16 is being developed, and will include related sections for Division 2 (Site Work Utilities.)”
I know from Wikipedia that:
1963: CSI introduces MasterFormat data as part of CSI Format for Construction Specifications
1966: CSC produced The Building Construction Index with similar data.
1972: CSI and CSC merge their systems and publish as Uniform Construction Index.
1978: First published under the name MasterFormat
So, I am guessing that at least prior to 1972, and possibly up to 1978, the three/four digit sections were the standard.
(I googled "“Production Systems for Architects & Engineers, Inc.” and found that they filed the original trademark application for MASTERSPEC in 1969. I also found an short article about the “new low-cost automated master specification system” in the 1970 issue of “Indiana Architect.” and an ad in 1972 New Jersey “Architecture”: “the profession’s recognized standard reliable, streamlines production procedures, reduces errors and omissions, flexible master content, avoids repetitious work, comprehensive.”)
Interesting! The only academic training I had in specifications were two weeks worth in community college back in 1974. We were taught the 4 digit version of MF. Rest were SOP on the job converting NavFac specs (the worst) into 3 part section format and CSI’s MasterFormat numbering. Thank you Hans Meir FCSI CCS.
From what I recall, several CSI Chapters created versions in the 60’s and early 70’s. I don’t recall the date of the original “Baltimore Format” created by a crew that I believe included Tom (Paul) Heineman, Dick Weatherby, Paul Simonsen, and others.
Cool. As you noted the article is about MASTERSPEC from PSAE - Production Systems for Architects and Engineers, Inc., predating AIA’s ownership. It is based on the 16-Division format. Funny that the 1974 TOC you found used 4-digit alpha-numeric Section numbering considering the MP-2A from 1970 already had the 5-digit numeric-only system.
As I recall GSA had 5-digit numeric guide specs available in the Government Printing Office in downtown Washington, DC as early as 1977 when I started writing specs. My boss was used to the 4-digit alpha-numeric system (I still have a copy of a project of his somewhere). I used to have to go to GPO periodically with boxes and hit the rotating magazine-type racks. There were dozens of racks but they had guide specs for all 16 Divisions. No “Division 00” back then; we used the FAR’s as our front end for GSA projects. I had to type the specs by hand using carbon paper so we could keep a copy. Once accepted by the client the specs were sent off to the printers. Not a cheap process. Making edits usually required retyping the entire spec on my Royal manual typewriter. I was so happy when we bought an IBM Selectric!
In 1979 I discovered the AIA front end documents when I switched over to commercial design. We had our spec master on Wang floppy disks and two dedicated word processors who were the only ones allowed to touch those machines. I red-marked hard copy and they edited. It was kind of nice having someone proofreading and not having to type.
Offices I worked in during the 1970s & 1980s used 2 or 3 digit sections - division number & section letter. These were generally medium or broadscope sections for smaller projects. We seldom got beyond M or N.
Thank you so much for sharing. I started as a spec writer in 1978 working for Media Five Limited, a multi-disciplinary design firm in Honolulu. While I was there, we did quite a bit of work with various military-related agencies. We had a subscription to MASTERSPEC and paid to have the hard copy scanned onto 8-inch diskettes for our Wang word processing system. The scanned files were not terribly useful (spaces instead of tabs and carriage returns at the end of each line). I wrote some macro routines that cleaned up the files.
I typed in the NAVFAC guide specs that I had to use, and I particularly remember the one on built-up roofing that had paragraphs that ran for almost a page. I did learn a lot typing those specs, but it was a pain.
After MasterFormat 1883 came out, I wrote an introduction to a local product guide as president of the local CSI chapter. There was quite a bit that wasn’t exactly right, but I stand by my observation that Masterformat had been close to universally adopted and signaled that CSI had been successful in a part of its original mission. Wish the current edition of MasterFormat was as successful.
When I was in high school, my dad would use old specs, scissors and tape along with his red pencil. Then give it the the receptionist to type. After school I would run the mimograph to make copies, then is was the first zerox machine they had. The also had a box with slots for each page and we collated by hand. 1978-1981. Then off to college I went.
Russ, This is the way I produced specs in 1985. The firm I worked for had just gotten a PC, but it was sort of for the department secretary (remember them?). I say sort of because she didn’t really use it. Anyway, we had a typing pool, and they did all the specs, and anything else needing typing. When I used the PC to write my first report (a existing conditions roofing report), my boss could not figure out why I was doing it and not Sheila. He didn’t get that me writing it out longhand and then marking up her typed copy was slower than me using a word processor directly. I was already a reasonably fast touch typist then. I prevailed, though.
The first office I worked in in the mid-90s was still working that way, except the typist was using WordPerfect instead of a typewriter. Back when “cut & paste” actually meant using scissors and glue stick or tape…
(I’m pretty sure I’m also the last generation that actually drafted with a pencil. Who else remembers using plastic leads on mylar?)
Somewhere in my rather random collection of weird architectural memorabilia I have a photocopy of an old book of construction specifications from, IIRC, either the late 19th C or very early 20th C - I’ll see if I can find it and post it here.
From the time I started writing specs, I did my own editing on a computer. A couple of firms strongly suggested that a better use of my time was to markup copy for an admin to edit. This was never the case. I nearly always knew the software better than they did and it was way more efficient for me to do my own edits.
Several years ago I bought a book on eBay titled “Specification Writing” by David B. Emerson. It was published by the International Textbook Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania. It shows a copyright date of 1924 and is in immaculate condition. I wish there was an easy way to show it to the group. IIRC, the asking price on eBay must have been pretty reasonable or I would not have purchased the book. It is unlike anything previously mentioned but there is a line in the text about “brevity and completeness” of specifications.
I keep the book in a fireproof box along with important papers like estate documents and ticket stubs from memorable sporting events and concerts. Some of the latter I really don’t remember all that well.
The first firm I wrote specs for thought it was “inefficient” for me to use a computer, so I went through a lot of red pens and printer paper. However, I came in one day to find out my assistant had been laid off, so I adapted to the computer fairly quickly.
Dan, here are images of the cover and title page of “Specification Writing.” The book measures 7-1/2 by 5 inches. The mosaic tile on the title page is acting as a paper weight. The spine has not been broken.
And then there was the American Specification Institute who published guide specs in the early 1920’s and divided the country into regions. Their motto was ‘clear, correct and concise specs’!! Likely some of their junior members started CSI in 1948. Anyone want to borrow a copy?
I would! I have the “By Hammer and Hand All Things Stand”, Audels Carpenters and Builders Guide #2, A Practical Illustrated Trade Assistant, Modern Construction, For Carpenters - Joiners, Builders - Mechanics and All Wood Workers, Explaining In Practical, Concise Language, and By Well Done Illustrations, Diagrams Charts, Graphs and Pictures, Principles Advances, Short Cuts-Based On Modern Practice - Including Instructions On How To Figure and Calculate Various Jobs by Frank D. Graham - Chief and Thomas J. Emery - Associate, Copyrighted 1923, 1939 and Reprinted in 1942. Betty Hays gave it to me before she passed on. It was a time that you could have the entire project manual printed pocket-sized to fit in your back pocket so you could take it with you to the project site! I love our history!
Dan;
Using “plastic leads on mylar” nothing. My 1st summer job, working for my Dad’s firm) was drafting for a highway project with PennDOT standards: ink on waxed linen.
