Happy 40th birthday, cubicle! Now die

The great and powerful Mental_Floss magazine featured a short piece about the man who created the first cubicle. He thought that the open work area would decrease office politics and increase worker happiness by allowing greater contact between individuals. Businesses loved the cube because it was a cheap way to house warm bodies. File the idea under "Good intentions, the road to Hell is paved with."

I couldn't find the article though, so you'll have to take my word for it.

I remember, during my office years, the thrill of having a third wall added to my cube, which was the last one on the end of the cube row in a 50 person office cube matrix. I remember another time when my cube was moved next to my best work buddy's cube, and feeling like I was in the third grade again and getting a new seat assignment. Good time, good times . . . .

I'd gladly take a 3 wall cubicle over any "open-workspace" concept that some designer comes up with. I have started to feel my greatest accomplishment in my working life will to one day get a working space with 4 walls, a door, and a window.

Me too, Gerik. This whole open-plan office business makes a cubicle sound almost heavenly. Any tiny bit of privacy would be much appreicated at this point.

Hi Lisa,

IDEO didn't do this project for the 40th anniversary of the cubicle. They worked with Adams on the ultimate cubicle back in 2001.

http://archives.cnn.com/2001/CAREER/jobenvy/08/28/dilbert.scott.adams/index.html

If they put a press release claiming this as recent work, I'm puzzled. Definitely a misstatement of what went on.

I worked in a cubicle for over nine years at Intel, and was so glad to get out it I even named my blog in recognition ("One Flew Over the Cubicle's Nest") Cubicles were designed by tech companies for ultimate flexibility--people and whole groups could be moved in and out quickly...I remember how happy I was when I got an expanded cube (I lied to the managers, saying I needed a bigger cube to store demo equipment). And of course, a cube by a window was the highest level of existence. Strangely, I didn't even know most of the people around my cube-area. The only time that changed was when the electricity went off and all the computers stopped. I remember everyone poking their heads above the cubicle walls, like prairie dogs to see what happened. I was finally able to meet my neighbors. Bottom line: I don't miss one day of my old cubicle life.

Happy Birthday Cubicle! Now back to work where I sit around and draw about my day. So depressing its almost funny --> MyLifeInaCube.com

I know the original terminology is "cubicle" but for whatever reason it tickles me to hear it called that instead of a "cube."

I hate my cube, but I think it has more to do with the light (or lack thereof). My iPod and a pair of headphones take care of a lot of the distraction issues.

I get why they're appealing from a budget and infrastructure standpoint. I think their appropriateness depends on the nature of the work you're doing. Some jobs do actually require collaboration. At least from time to time. Maybe having a more open workspace available to be used for those times would be a better idea than forcing people to sit there all the time.

And how many of us could do a good chunk of our work from home or from the coffee shop down the street...?

I'm blessed that my Cubeland neighbors are wonderful to get along with. Granted, there are only four of us, and we have 7' walls. The rubberband wars are incredible, and half the staff that have "real" offices wish they worked here in the Dungeon.
However, we've always had a problem with people from other departments interupting us without bothering to even say "excuse me, got a minute?" When the caution tape across the entrance failed to stop them, my daughter surprised me with a "door" - a shower curtain on a tension rod. Works like a charm! My supervisor thinks it's funny, and people have taken the hint and gradually learned not to interrupt us.