Harold Garfinkel was an American sociologist best known for founding the field of ethnomethodology. Born in 1917, he focused on understanding the everyday methods people use to make sense of their social world. His work emphasized how individuals create and maintain social order through their interactions. Garfinkel's most notable study involved the use of breaching experiments, where he intentionally disrupted social norms to observe people's reactions. This approach highlighted the often-unseen rules that govern social behavior. His contributions have significantly influenced sociology, particularly in understanding how people construct meaning in their lives.