This report presents the primary findings of an assessment requested by the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. The Subcommittee on Public Lands is carrying out a major review of how Federal agencies implement Federal preservation policy. This assessment directly supports the Committee’s review by showing how the uses of certain methods, techniques, as well as tools and equipment can assist Federal, State, and local preservation efforts.

This background paper shows, the implementation of Federal historic preservation laws with respect to historic landscapes lags far behind the effort expended on historic buildings and archaeological sites.

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) of the construction industry and technology that is reshaping the industry and what impacts these technologies might have.

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that looks "not only at robots but also at related computer-based technologies for design, production, and management" and "the technologies of programmable automation, their uses, and future capabilities" (p. iii).

The international competitiveness of American firms in most manufacturing industries has been in decline, in large part because of growing competence in other parts of the world. As this assessment shows, the United States remains highly competitive in many service industries, But trade in services will remain small compared to trade in goods, and many of the benefits from foreign investments by American service firms accrue to the host nations where U.S.-based banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, and other suppliers of services do business, Services cannot right the Nation’s trade balance, even granting the many ways in which a strongly competitive service sector benefits the competitiveness of American manufacturing firms.

This Background Paper contains the results of OTA’s analysis. Throughout the study OTA sought and received the assistance of many individuals and organizations in the business, education, and government communities. Their thoughtful contributions and criticisms were invaluable, although their participation does not necessarily reflect their endorsement of the contents of the report, for which OTA bears sole responsibility.

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "focuses on how Federal Government policies affect innovations in wheelchair characteristics" (p. 3).

This special report is part of a larger OTA project that analyzes the effects of technological change on the structure of the domestic economy, on international trade, and on options for public policy. Home construction’s importance to the study stems from the fact that although housing accounts for over 27 percent of personal spending, ownership of attractive residences remains beyond the reach of many American families.

The report highlights strategic choices available to Americans as we negotiate a period of major transformation. The choices we make will have profound consequences for the quality of work and the amenities available to Americans and for America’s role of leadership in the free world.

A study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that covers "the essential technical issues surrounding the selection and acquisition of infrastructure in space" (p. iii).

This report report discusses the development of technician's auto analyzer, the first cardiac pacemaker, electronic retinoscope, the development of implantable drug-infusion pump and other implantable medication systems.

This assessment analyzes the problem of acid deterioration of books and the program underway at the Library of Congress. The program at the Library involves the chemical treatment of books in a unique and effective process that, however, also presents some new engineering and safety concerns. Because of these concerns, the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations requested this independent review of the Library’s system and other available or potential processes.

This report concentrates on the problems of displaced blue-collar and nonprofessional white-collar workers. This report gives an overview of Federal programs that provide such services, and evaluates the extent to which both private and public programs are meeting the needs of displaced workers.

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) of maritime trade and technology that "traces prevailing conditions and dominant trends that are important to the way the Federal Government assumes its responsibility for developing and implementing policy" (p. iii).

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "assesses the consequences of the continuing and rapid introduction of information and telecommunications technologies in offices" (p. iii).

The findings of an assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) on "international cooperation and competition in civilian space activities" (p. iii).