As early as the 5th century BC, Greek civilizations designed their tools and workplaces based on ergonomic principles. According to the International Ergonomics Association, ergonomics*—or human factors—*is “the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design and optimize human well-being and overall system performance.” One of the strongest indications that the Ancient Greeks were well aware of ergonomic principles is the way that Hippocrates described how a surgeon’s workplace should be set up. He refers to the lighting in the room, the surgeon’s positioning*—“the surgeon may stand or be seated, in a posture comfortable for him”—*and the arrangement of tools; “they must be positioned in such a way as to not obstruct the surgeon, and also be within easy reach when required.”
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