The office cubicle turns 40 this year
In 1968, the Herman Miller Company introduced "Action Office," the world's first modular office system or, as it's come to be known, the cubicle.
Below: This is the first commercial cubicle installation, 1969
Believe it or not, Robert Propst, inventor of the cubicle, intended it to bring a sense of respect to the individual worker, creating privacy and offering protection from the indignities -- not to mention the constant glare of the boss -- that the bullpen office configuration imposed on the worker.
As a result, cubicles were a hard sell when first introduced. Today, they account for 60% to 70% of the office furniture market.
Sources: AZ Central, Time and Ambience Dore
Having never worked in one, I have the luxury of an innocent comment. If you watch a movie like The Apartment, you will see rows upon rows of "ants" working comptometers - I guess the people who conceived the cubicle thought they were doing good. Watch the Jack Lemmon movie (it's a nice film) and judge for yourself.
Posted by: Keith | 21 July 2008 at 02:01 PM
I don't remember the "ants." I've obviously let too much time transpire since I last watched The Apartment!
Posted by: PZR | 21 July 2008 at 08:05 PM