Over a Century of Service
About American Technical Publishers...
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.
The Vocational Education Act of 1963 and subsequent appropriations provided increased federal funding for expansion of vocational education programs. With this steadily increasing market, American Tech continued to develop new material, becoming the recognized publisher in trade and industrial education, which is a major part of vocational education.
R. T. Miller, Jr. - Founder
On March 14, 1980, the assets of the Society were purchased by the American Technical Publishers, Inc. Profit Sharing Retirement Plan and Trust. American Technical Society, later renamed Technical Foundation of America, began operation as an educational foundation.
Mr. Robert H. Carrigan became the first president of American Technical Publishers, Inc. and also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Carrigan resigned in 1985. Mr. Thomas E. Proctor was elected president and Mr. Paul S. Warrington was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Proctor, formerly Sales Manager and Editor-in-Chief, was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1986. He further defined our publishing goal by directing our efforts toward the increased publication of textbooks and related materials for apprenticeship and industrial training markets. Mr. Proctor retired in 2000 and Mr. Robert D. Deisinger, formerly Senior Vice President and Treasurer, was appointed President of American Technical Publishers, Inc. by the Board of Directors.
Since 1898, our company has been the leader in quality training materials for career and technical education, industrial, and apprenticeship training programs. Two of our principal officers are ex-teachers and administrators in our field. We, like you, are vitally interested in quality training materials for today's students and workers. The primary purpose of our textbooks is to provide trade information to help build the skills required for employment and advancement in a trade.
About Our Publications...
All our authors have substantial trade experience. ATP publications:
- are easy-to-understand and allow for quick comprehension
- have many large, detailed graphics
- contain step-by-step procedures
- contain procedures and techniques in a precise and easy-to-understand format
- have illustrated glossaries
- have comprehensive appendices
- are filled with practical exercises
- contain CD-ROMs to enhance comprehension*
- are produced in the USA
The Instructor's Resource Guides have:
- interactive illustrations
- sample course outlines
- lesson plans
- behavioral objectives
- answers to all problems with solutions as appropriate
- ExamView® Test Generator*
- PowerPoint® presentations*
Training options include:
- video-based instruction
- activity-based training
- current industry standards
If you are an instructor or an administrator in a qualified training program, and would like an evaluation copy of one of our publications, please contact David Holloway.
* available in selected titles
