Cubed
By Nikil Saval
A Secret History of the Workplace. Public Doubleday, 2014.
Summary of Cubed book by Nikil Saval
An extensive social history of the office—from its beginnings in the 19th century, to the rise of shiny skyscrapers and beyond—and how workplaces reflect, and in turn impact, culture, politics, and attitudes about work.
Chapters in Cubed book summary
What do you get from this book? Discover how something as simple and commonplace as the office came to be
Clerks—the first office workers—have been around for centuries, but paperwork became increasingly important as a result of industrialization
With the beginning of the 20th century came more bureaucracy, more desks crammed together, and Taylor’s scientific management
As skyscrapers were built and skylines grew more impressive, capitalism became more visible and class divides were deepening
Women were eager to join the workforce and had an increasing presence in offices, though sexism and harassment were common
Offices moved to the suburbs in the 1950s, and white-collar life brought an enforced conformity to American culture
A new class of employee emerged—the knowledge worker—and office designs became more organic and flexible in response
Economic conditions worsened in the 1970s and 80s, and the office served as a microcosm for social issues
Silicon Valley represented the office of the future—but the dot-com bubble burst, putting a damper on new workplaces
The days of the conventional office may be coming to an end as workers gain more control and autonomy
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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Cubed — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Cubed book
- Professionals
- architects and city planners
- social scientists
- CEOs and managers
- people who work in cubicles
About the author of Cubed
Nikil Saval
Nikil Saval is an accomplished editor, community organizer, and politician, who was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2020. Saval is a graduate of Columbia University and holds a PhD from Stanford University. Cubed is his first published book.
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