[Ads-l] Antedating of "Tech" (= technology)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

Fred Shapiro wrote:
> tech (OED 1881)
>
> 1880 Daily Eastern Argus (Portland, Me.) 27 Dec. 3/5 (Newspapers.com)
>
> Some of the young folks at home for the holidays: ... Stetson, Stinson, Patten, Institute Tech., Boston.

Below are citations from 1963 and 1865 in which "Tech." is used as a
conventional abbreviation for "Technology". Fred's citation also seems
to follow this pattern. The OED may want citations for "Tech" without
the terminating period.

[Begin OED definition]
Tech noun
colloquial (originally U.S.).
An educational institution specializing in technology or applied
sciences, esp. engineering; a technical college, technical school, or
institute of technology; (also) a course of study at such an
institution.
Frequently in the shortened form of the names of such colleges.
[End OED definition]

Date: February 18, 1863
Newspaper: Boston Evening Transcript
Newspaper Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Article: Educational Movement
Quote Page 2, Column 2
Database: Newspapers.com

[Begin excerpt]
... we cannot withhold our earnest recommendation that the Legislature
in appropriating the grant shall devote an adequate share through the
Mass. Inst. of Tech. to those teachings ...
[End excerpt]

Date: September 13, 1865
Newspaper: The Springfield Daily Republican
Newspaper Location: Springfield, Massachusetts
Article: Mass. Institute of Technology School of Industrial Design
Quote Page 5, Column 3
Database: Newspapers.com

[Begin excerpt]
WILLIAM B. ROGERS
Pres. Mass. Inst. Tech.
[End excerpt]

Garson

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