Robert (Bob) Propst (? - 2000) was the inventor of the Action Office which evolved into the cubicle office furniture system.
Robert Propst was from Colorado and worked for Herman Miller (Research) in Zeeland, Michigan.
Propst's work has been exhibited at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Henry Ford Museum.
Great Misnomer, "Father of the Cubicle." When Bob Propst designed the "Action Office," he never in his worst dreams believed that the much criticized "cubicle" would be the result of work. In fact, Propst's own research into developing the action office philosophically was against the cubicle in every way. That is to say, the Action office was designed to promote productivity, privacy, and health (they attempted to increase blood flow) at the expense of some inefficient use of space. Cubicles, meanwhile, are designed to maximize efficient use of space at the expense of all else.
The reason the extremely efficient "cubicle" came into vogue was because the movable wall design of the "Action Office" saved money in construction and development costs. Therefore, the "Action Office" materials were redesigned to pack in as many employees as possible into an office space. This vision was absolutely contrary to Propst's intentions, and he stated that the success of the cubicle was a "monolithic insanity."
Propst's 120 inventions include:
- A vertical timber harvester
- a quality control system for concrete
- an electronic tagging system for livestock
- a mobile office for a quadriplegic
- Modular systems for use in hospitals
In 1953, he formed Propst Co. in Denver, Colorado to commercialize his inventions.
Awards
- Best Collection of the Year, Home Furnishings Daily, 1964
- 21st Annual International Design Award, American Institute of Interior Designers, 1970
- Distinguished Service Citation, Institute of Business Designers, 1972
- Design Review Industrial Design Award, 1976
References
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