Coined by Murrell in 1949 from Greek ergon 'work' + nomos 'law,' for the science of fitting workplaces to human bodies.
The study of designing equipment and workplaces to fit the user's physical needs, maximizing efficiency and comfort.
Coined by the British psychologist K.F.H. Murrell in 1949 from Greek ergon 'work' + nomos 'law, management.' Murrell proposed it as the name for the newly formed Ergonomics Research Society in 1949, replacing the less elegant 'human engineering.' The term was formally adopted in 1950. Key roots: *wérǵ- (Proto-Indo-European: "to work"), *nem- (Proto-Indo-European: "to assign, allot").