Gilbreth Motion Studies

Summary

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth revolutionized industrial management with their motion studies, which simplified tasks by eliminating unnecessary motions, significantly boosting productivity. Frank's innovative bricklaying techniques exemplified this, increasing efficiency dramatically. Lillian, the first female industrial psychologist with a PhD, advanced the field by focusing on the human element, improving office communication, and advocating for workplace safety and ergonomics, continuing their legacy after Frank's death.

Takeaways

• 🧑‍🔧 Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were pioneers in motion study, which simplified work by eliminating unnecessary and repetitive motions.
• 🏗️ Frank Gilbreth's early career as a bricklayer influenced his interest in motion study, leading to significant productivity improvements in bricklaying.
• 🔧 He designed a stand to raise bricks to waist height, reducing the need for bending and improving efficiency.
• 💡 The Gilbreths used motion picture films, a new technology at the time, to analyze and time workers' motions with precision.
• 🕒 Frank invented the micrometer, a clock that could record time up to 1/2 one thousandth of a second, to better analyze motion studies.
• 📈 Motion study typically resulted in production increases of 25 to 300%, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving productivity.
• 🕒 Taylor's approach to simplifying work focused on time study rather than motion, aiming to determine a fair day's work and standardize it.
• 👩‍🎓 Lillian Gilbreth was a trailblazer, being the first woman to receive a PhD in industrial psychology and joining prestigious engineering societies.
• 🔑 After Frank's death in 1924, Lillian continued their management consulting work, emphasizing the human side of work.
• 🛠 Lillian contributed to industrial psychology by developing methods to improve office communication, incentive programs, job satisfaction, and management training.
• 🏛 Her advocacy led to government laws on workplace safety, ergonomics, and child labor, reflecting her concern for worker well-being.

Q & A

Who is the husband-and-wife team mentioned in the script known for?

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth are best known for their use of motion studies to simplify work and their significant contributions to the employment of disabled workers and the field of industrial psychology.

What is motion study and how did it impact the efficiency of bricklayers?

Motion study is the process of breaking each task down into its separate motions and eliminating those that are unnecessary or repetitive. Frank Gilbreth applied this to bricklaying, which increased productivity from 120 to 350 bricks per hour and from 1,000 bricks per day to 2,700 bricks per day.

What innovative tool did Frank Gilbreth invent to better analyze jobs with motion picture films?

Frank Gilbreth invented the micrometer, a large clock that could record time up to 1/2 one thousandth of a second, to help analyze jobs with motion picture films more accurately.

How did the Gilbreths use the micrometer to improve motion study?

The Gilbreths used the micrometer by placing it next to the worker in the camera's field of vision and attaching a flashing strobe light to the worker's hand to better identify the direction and sequence of key movements, allowing them to detect and precisely time even the slightest, fastest movements.

What was the typical production increase achieved through motion study according to the script?

Motion study typically resulted in production increases of 25 to 300%.

How did Taylor's approach to simplifying work differ from the Gilbreths'?

Taylor's approach focused on managing time rather than motion, using time study to determine what could be considered a fair day's work and establish a standard time for tasks, which affected workers' pay based on their performance relative to the standard.

What significant achievements did Lillian Gilbreth attain in her career?

Lillian Gilbreth was the first woman to receive a PhD in industrial psychology, the first woman to become a member of the Society of Industrial Engineers, and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

What contributions did Lillian Gilbreth make to industrial psychology?

Lillian Gilbreth contributed to industrial psychology by originating ways to improve office communication, incentive programs, job satisfaction, and management training. She also influenced the government to enact laws regarding workplace safety, ergonomics, and child labor.

How did Lillian Gilbreth continue the work of the Gilbreths' management consulting company after Frank's death?

After Frank's death in 1924, Lillian continued the work of their management consulting company, which they had shared for over a dozen years, focusing on the human side of work.

What was Frank Gilbreth's view on the greatest waste in the world?

Frank Gilbreth believed that the greatest waste in the world comes from needless, ill-directed, and ineffective motions.

What was the impact of the Gilbreths' work on the field of management?

The Gilbreths' work had a profound impact on the field of management by introducing motion study to simplify work, improve productivity, and reduce the level of effort required to safely perform a job, as well as contributing to the development of industrial psychology and workplace laws.