Definition of the word garbage can

The term "garbage can" as we know it today can be traced back to the late 1950s, when an economist named Alfred D. Chandler, Jr. Worked on a research project at Harvard University's Business Administration School. Chandler's team was focused on studying the decision-making processes within large organizations, and they realized that they needed a way to organize ideas and feedback from employees that were considered "non-actionable" or not immediately relevant to ongoing projects. As a solution, Chandler's team installed a large, upright metal receptacle in the office that was reminiscent of the typical dumpsters seen outside commercial establishments. They called this container a "garbage can," as they believed that the ideas contained within it were similar to the garbage that was discarded outside. The term stuck, and the phrase "garbage can" has since become synonymous with the place where ideas and suggestions that are deemed unnecessary or irrelevant are discarded, allowing for more focused and task-oriented decision-making within organizations. Overall, the origin of the phrase "garbage can" highlights the importance of effectively managing and organizing ideas within organizations, and how the early pioneers in management theory developed novel concepts to solve emerging issues.