The legibility of a telephone directory

Abstract

Reports an attempt by the New York Telephone Company to improve the directory in terms of less pages and greatest accuracy of reading. Four arrangements of pages were tested: (1) four column page (2) page with every alternate line indented (3) lines separated by half a point and (4) the old three-column page. Eight Ss were taken from the installation force, solicitors and outside workers, Commercial Department and Directory Department, each. 30 tests on 12 pages (I, M and S pages) were given to each in various conditions of visual acuity, natural and artificial illumination. Results showed that use of indented form and insertion of half a point leading increases legibility by 5% and 13% respectively. A measure of practice showed that finding time of most practiced groups was two-fifth as long as the average of the least practiced group. Finally, the new telephone directory had four columns to the page which reduced a bulk of 20%. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)