Automation can be defined as when any computational, decision-making or control action that could be performed by a human is performed by a machine (Sethumadhavan, 2011). Over the past two decades, the safety of automated systems has become an increasingly important issue due to major accidents that have caused environmental damage and loss of life. In the aviation industry, automation is widely used and has many advantages. Automation has been shown to reduce incidents such as near misses and other aviation incidents. Automation has also been shown to increase decision-making rates, improve pilot performance in freezing temperatures, and allow controllers to better control their control zone (Sethumadhavan, 2011). However, the aviation industry's heavy reliance on automation may have potential consequences. History of Automation In the 1920s, aircraft speeds and air traffic volume increased. Because of new safety concerns and delays caused by the number of planes in the air, aviation industry leaders decided federal action was necessary. Congress introduced the Air Commerce Act of 1926. The Air Commerce Act allowed the Secretary of Commerce to establish air traffic rules, certification of pilots and aircraft, and to create airways and operating aids for navigation (NATCA, nd). In 1929, the first American air traffic controller was hired in St. Lois, Missouri, at Charles Lindbergh's home airfield. He was a former pilot and mechanic named Archie W. League. The League controlled traffic from a wheelbarrow. He carried a chair, an umbrella for protection, a notepad and flares that he used to direct the planes. League then attended college and graduated with an aviation degree......in the midst of his studies......on the operational use of flight path management systems. Federal Aviation Administration. (2014). Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). Retrieved from http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/faa_regulations/Langan, J. (2009). Human automation teams and adaptable control for future air traffic management. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 39(5), 894-903. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/10.1016/j.ergon.2009.04.002NATCA(nd). A History of Air Traffic Control. Retrieved from http://www.natca.org/ULWSiteResources/natcaweb/Resources/file/Media%20Center/ATCHistory.pdfSethumadhavan, A. (2011). Effects of first automation failure on situational awareness and performance in an air traffic control task. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 50(1), 350-354. Retrieved from http://pro.sagepub.com/content/55/1/350