The author has presented a historical review of societal/industrial conditions affecting the development of manual education to determine if a need for change in industrial arts exists at the present time. Societal conditions, industrial conditions, and the resulting educational response are examined in: Russia (mid-19th century), Sweden (19th century), England (19th century), America (mid-19th century to 1920), and America (present time). In Russia, the 1861 emancipation resulted in freed, untrained peasants, who formed the basis of the working force required for industrial development. The introduction of Sloyd (a system of handwork or manual training in Scandinavian countries) in Sweden was more an attempt to revitalize a society than to produce skilled workers. In England, the Arts and Crafts Movement was a protest against the dehumanization of workers. Decay of the apprenticeship system in America necessitated the development of manual training. As dissatisfaction with manual training became apparent, industrial arts, aimed at helping students understand industrial processes and materials, appeared on the scene. Industrial arts is still making use of general shop today as it did in the 1920's. The author contends, in light of the data collected, that a need for change in industrial arts currently exists. (EA)