What Can the Technical Writer of the past Teach the Technical Writer of Today?

When in despair over the problems of presenting technical information, today's engineer, scientist, and technical writer can gain fresh inspiration by reading the classics of engineering literature. Major writers, including ancient and medieval authors as well as outstanding moderns like Ammann and Raymond, can teach us a lot about variations in form and approach and about appropriate use of rhythm and metaphor. Further, our great technical writers make us reconsider our contemporary notion of "objectivity" and its values.