The term was coined in 1958 by Henry A. Landsberger when he was analyzing earlier experiments from 1924–32 at the Hawthorne Works (a Western Electric factory outside Chicago).
Mõiste võttis kasutusele Henry A. Landsberger 1958. aastal, analüüsides varasemaid, aastatel 1924–1932 tehtud eksperimente Hawthorne Worksi tehases (tehas Western Electric Chicago lähedal).