subject: Facts About Office Cubicles [print this page] Although the term "cubicle" is a known term, most individuals do not know much about them, other than the fact that many businesses and companies employ them to create appropriate work spaces for their employees. While you may assume that there couldn't possibly be anything remotely interesting about these cube-like spaces that you may or may not have at your office, there are, in fact some points about office cubicles that can prove to be quite interesting.
The concept of office cubicles, commonly referred to as the cubicle, was invented in 1964 by Robert Propst. Propst was a designer who worked for Herman Miller Inc., an office furniture manufacturer. In 1965, the cubicle was based on a prototype and was referred to as the Action Office that was made of modular units including an open plan. The idea of the cubicle had been around for quite some time before Propst invented the concept. In fact, the idea of the cubicle had been around before the 15th century.
The Latin root for office cubicles is actually cubiculum, which refers to a bed chamber. It was not until the 15th century that the word was used in the English language. The term eventually came to be used when referring to small chambers of any sort, including small study rooms that had partitions that did not reach the ceiling. The cubicle was designed to give an individual a certain amount of privacy in which they could study or work, while at the same time using the smallest amount of space possible in a medium or large sized room.
Office cubicles today are more modern and often times, many cubicles are grouped together in one room, in an office-like setting. This is especially true for large companies and businesses that serve consumers. When a large group of cubicles are put together in an office, it is commonly referred to as a cube farm because of its appearance. From the top the employees resemble worker ants or busy bees. Cube farms are often associated with high-tech and larger companies that many employees. The rise in the need for cubicles actually began around the time that the internet became extremely popular and there was a massive growth in websites or dotcoms. It is still the single most effective way to maximize a large area of space to accommodate multiple employees. Another advantage of the modern day cubicle is the ability to change your floor plan to accommodate new employees as well as new office equipment.
The idea of a cubicle is relatively new compared to older inventions and concepts. Office cubicles can serve an important purpose to many companies. Even large churches use them to partition off classroom type areas. Although cubicles are now associated with modern companies and businesses, they have been around long before the 15th century. It is quite interesting to see how the concept which was originally used for the bedroom has evolved into a major functioning part of the modern day office.
