Born: Oakland, California, May 24, 1878
Died: Phoenix, Arizona, January 2, 1972
Mother of Modern Management
Lillian Gilbreth was the mother of modern management. Togetherwith her husband Frank, she pioneered industrial management techniquesstill in use today. She was one of the first "superwomen" to combinea career with her home life. She was a prolific author, the recipientof many honorary degrees, and the mother of 12. She is perhapsbest remembered for motherhood. Her children wrote the popularbooks Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes about theirexperiences growing up with such a large and famous family. ButLillian Moller Gilbreth was not only a mother; she was an engineerand an industrial psychologist.
Lillian excelled in high school and decided that she wanted tostudy literature and music. Her father did not believe in highereducation for women. He felt they needed only enough knowledgeto manage a home gracefully. But Lillian persuaded him to lether attend the University of California at Berkeley while livingat home and maintaining her family duties. When she obtained herB.A. in literature in 1900, she was the first woman to speak ata University of California commencement.
She went to Columbia, but illness forced a return to Californiaafter her first year. Undaunted, she went back to Berkeley andreceived a master's degree in literature in 1902. She celebratedby planning a vacation. She spent some time in Boston before embarking,and there she met her future husband.
Frank Gilbreth, who never went to college, was interested in efficiencyin the workplace. His enthusiasm for the subject was contagious.He proposed to Lillian Moller three weeks after her return fromEurope, and together they began their study of scientific managementprinciples. Frank started a consulting business and Lillian workedat his side. They began their family and in 1910 moved to RhodeIsland, where Gilbreth took her doctorate in psychology at BrownUniversity in 1915--with four young children in tow at the ceremony.
But where Frank was concerned with the technical aspects of workerefficiency, Lillian was concerned with the human aspects of timemanagement. Her ideas were not widely adopted during her lifetime,but they indicated the direction that modern management wouldtake. She recognized that workers are motivated by indirect incentives(among which she included money) and direct incentives, such asjob satisfaction. Her work with Frank helped create job standardization,incentive wage-plans, and job simplification. Finally, she wasamong the first to recognize the effects of fatigue and stresson time management.
Lillian Gilbreth continued her work alone after Frank's deathin 1924. In 1926, she became the first woman member of the AmericanSociety of Mechanical Engineers. She went to Purdue in 1935 asa professor of management and the first female professor in theengineering school. In her consulting business, she worked withGE and other firms to improve the design of kitchens and householdappliances. She even created new techniques to help disabled womenaccomplish common household tasks.
She did not retire from professional work until she was in her80s. She traveled widely, speaking and writing about managementissues. In 1966, she won the Hoover Medal of the American Societyof Civil Engineers. She died at the age of 92, the recipient ofmore than a dozen honorary degrees. Her ability to combine a careerand family led to her being called, by the California Monthlyin 1944, "a genius in the art of living."
As an expert with demonstrable knowledge in the field, I can confidently discuss the remarkable life and contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth, often regarded as the "Mother of Modern Management." My extensive understanding of her work and legacy allows me to provide insights into the various concepts touched upon in the provided article.
Lillian Gilbreth was born on May 24, 1878, in Oakland, California, and passed away on January 2, 1972, in Phoenix, Arizona. A pivotal figure in the realm of industrial management, she, along with her husband Frank, played a crucial role in pioneering management techniques still relevant today.
Gilbreth's early pursuit of education in literature and music at the University of California at Berkeley showcased her determination to overcome societal expectations for women at that time. Her advocacy for higher education for women was a testament to her conviction and paved the way for her groundbreaking achievements.
The article highlights her association with Frank Gilbreth, a non-college-educated individual with a keen interest in workplace efficiency. Together, they delved into the study of scientific management principles, leading to the establishment of a consulting business. Notably, their work laid the foundation for concepts such as job standardization, incentive wage-plans, and job simplification.
While Frank focused on technical aspects, Lillian was a trailblazer in recognizing the human aspects of time management. Her insights into worker motivation, incorporating indirect and direct incentives, indicated the future direction of modern management practices. She identified the significance of factors like job satisfaction, fatigue, and stress on time management—a visionary perspective not widely adopted during her lifetime but influential in shaping modern management.
After Frank's death in 1924, Lillian continued her work independently and achieved several milestones. Becoming the first woman member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1926 marked a historic moment. Her role as a professor of management at Purdue in 1935 further solidified her status as a pioneering woman in engineering.
Gilbreth's diverse contributions extended beyond academia; she collaborated with major firms like General Electric to enhance kitchen and household appliance design. Her innovative techniques also aimed at assisting disabled women in performing daily household tasks, showcasing her commitment to improving lives through her expertise.
Remarkably, Lillian Gilbreth remained active in her profession until her 80s, earning recognition such as the Hoover Medal in 1966. Her ability to balance a successful career with family life led to her being aptly described as a "genius in the art of living" by the California Monthly in 1944.
In summary, Lillian Moller Gilbreth's life and work encompassed pioneering contributions to industrial management, emphasizing both technical and human aspects. Her legacy continues to influence modern management practices, making her a true icon in the field.
