In a article published in the journal *Artefact. Techniques, History and the Humanities* (No. 24, June 2026), Claude Paraponaris, Professor Emeritus at LEST, offers some reflections on the evolution of technologies supporting industrial design and their influence on innovation processes.
Based on a historical study covering the period 1950-2024, the author analyses the development of industrial design software, drawing on the concept of «technical trend» developed by André Leroi-Gourhan. This approach suggests that technical systems are not merely neutral tools: they have a lasting influence on practices, organisations and design approaches.
In particular, the article shows that the industrial design plays a key role in design offices. Serving both as a means of representing objects under design and as a tool for communication between professionals, it supports changes in the production process and helps to explain the strong similarities observed in the organisation of design activities.
By putting the technical mediation at the heart of the analysis, rather than simply the uses of technology, Claude Paraponaris prompts reflection on the long-term effects of technological developments. It also highlights the contemporary challenges associated with the widespread adoption of digital modelling and artificial intelligence, which could lead to a decline in the engineering professions if the sources of creativity are not safeguarded.
Main themes of the article
- Technical trend : Applying André Leroi-Gourhan’s concept to analyse industrial development.
- Computer-aided design : A study covering the period from 1950 to 2024 on computer-aided design.
- Technological determinism : A critical examination of managerial autonomy in the light of the material properties of technology.