Did you see the movie, “Cheaper by the Dozen”? Would it
surprise you to learn it was based on real life? Two of Lillian Moller
Gilbreth’s 12 children wrote the book, and a sequel, too, about growing up in
her household. Lillian and Frank Gilbreth were internationally famous
efficiency-management experts. Lillian is called the “Mother of Modern Management.”
Among her time-saving inventions are the foot-pedal trash can, refrigerator
shelves, and an electric food mixer.
Lillian Moller was born on May 24, 1878 in Oakland,
California. She earned a B.A. in literature at the University of California at
Berkeley in 1900 and in 1902 she obtained a master’s in literature there. She
met her husband, Frank Gilbreth shortly after that and they were married in
1904. Lillian helped Frank in his construction consulting business and soon
became his partner. They moved to Rhode Island and Lillian earned a doctorate
in psychology from Brown University in 1915 – while having four children. She eventually had six sons and six daughters.
The Gilbreths concentrated their business on efficient time
management. Frank studied the technical properties of managing workers while
Lillian focused on the human element. Their famous Motion Studies tracked the
movements workers did to complete tasks. Their work in office furniture design
helped pioneer the field of ergonomics. Lillian pioneered the psychology of
work - workers’ mental and physical health, the effect of stress and fatigue,
and worker incentives.
Lillian continued working in efficiency-management after
Frank’s death in 1924. She became a professor of management at Purdue University
in 1935, the first woman in the engineering department. She consulted with
businesses such as General Electric to improve the design of kitchens. Lillian
focused on physically disabled people and created innovations to help them do
household tasks. She served on Presidential committees and wrote books. She
toured the world speaking at conferences and lecturing on management
efficiency.
Lillian received numerous awards throughout her life,
including the prestigious Hoover Medal in 1966. The citation reads:
Renowned engineer, internationally
respected for contributions to motion study and to the recognition of the
principle that management engineering and human relations are intertwined;
courageous wife and mother; outstanding teacher, author, lecturer and member of
professional committees under Herbert Hoover and four successors. Additionally,
her unselfish application of energy and creative efforts in modifying
industrial and home environments for the handicapped has resulted in full
employment of the capabilities and elevation of their self-esteem.
(From “Memorial Tributes: National
Academy of Engineering, Volume 1 (1979) by the National Academy of Engineering,
p. 89 to 94, by James N. Landis (accessed from the NAE website, www.nae.edu ))
Lillian earned several “Firsts:”
·
First female commencement speaker at University
of California at Berkeley, 1900
·
First woman admitted to the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, 1926 (cited as 1921 and as second woman in some sources)
·
Recipient of the first award of the Gilbreth
Medal created by the Society of Industrial Engineers, 1931
·
First honorary member of the Society of Women
Engineers, 1950
·
First woman elected to the National Academy of
Engineering, 1965
Lillian Moller Gilbreth died on January 2, 1972 at the age
of 92. There is a moving tribute to her in the National Academy of Engineering,
Memorial Tributes, Volume 1 (1979) by James N. Landis, p 89 to 94, accessible
from the NAE website, www.nae.edu. Her portrait hangs in the National Portrait
Gallery, and a U.S postage stamp was issued in her honor in 1984.
Resources and Further Reading:
“Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Web Site” in the Archives and
Special Collections of Purdue University, http://www.lib.purdue.edu/spcol/manuscripts/fblg/
Lillian Moller Gilbreth page at the San Diego Supercomputer
Center website: http://www.sdsc.edu/ScienceWomen/gilbreth.html
)
The Gilbreth Network: http://gilbrethnetwork.tripod.com/front.html
1955 Interview with Lillian Gilbreth
Paper Presented by Lillian Gilbreth
