Search Results

Creator:

Lemelson Center, National Museum of American History  Search this

Type:

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2018-02-22T18:22:45.000Z

YouTube Category:

Science & Technology  Search this

Topic:

American History  Search this

See more by:

LemelsonCenter

Data Source:

Lemelson Center, National Museum of American History

YouTube Channel:

LemelsonCenter

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_QgPONFdzz9M

Creator:

Lemelson Center, National Museum of American History  Search this

Type:

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2020-11-30T21:16:39.000Z

YouTube Category:

Science & Technology  Search this

Topic:

American History  Search this

See more by:

LemelsonCenter

Data Source:

Lemelson Center, National Museum of American History

YouTube Channel:

LemelsonCenter

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_T5C3KzTsPok

Creator:

Smithsonian American Art Museum  Search this

Type:

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2018-03-29T21:10:53.000Z

YouTube Category:

Education  Search this

Topic:

Art, American  Search this

See more by:

americanartmuseum

Data Source:

Smithsonian American Art Museum

YouTube Channel:

americanartmuseum

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_z9xTkfOhKug

Physical Description:

metal (overall material)

wood (overall material)

Object Name:

Powder Divider

patent model, powder divider

ID Number:

MG.M-04385

Catalog number:

M-04385

Patent number:

224,734

See more items in:

Medicine and Science: Medicine

Data Source:

National Museum of American History

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-7b51-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmah_729729

Creator:

Lemelson Center, National Museum of American History  Search this

Type:

Interviews

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2023-01-24T20:33:27.000Z

YouTube Category:

Science & Technology  Search this

Topic:

American History  Search this

See more by:

LemelsonCenter

Data Source:

Lemelson Center, National Museum of American History

YouTube Channel:

LemelsonCenter

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_TWbHURPoVn0

Series Creator:

Warshaw, Isadore, 1900-1969  Search this

Container:

Box 54, Folder 3

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1917 February

Series Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Some items may be restricted due to fragile condition.

Series Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Series Citation:

Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Railroads, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).

See more items in:

Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Railroads

Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Railroads / 6: Publications / 6.4: Periodicals for the Railroad Trade

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8b7683f1a-474f-4883-ac64-f7c65b5580c2

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0060-s01-01-railroads-ref4048

Medium:

paper; ink (lilac)

Dimensions:

Height x Width: 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 in. (11.43 x 14.61 cm)

Type:

Postal Stationery

Place:

Prussia (kingdom)

Date:

1852

Object number:

0.152441.64.50.2

See more items in:

National Postal Museum Collection

Data Source:

National Postal Museum

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm8250ec9d7-6be1-4f41-b13e-39be89d64da9

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npm_0.152441.64.50.2

Medium:

paper; ink (green)

Dimensions:

Height x Width: 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 in. (11.43 x 14.61 cm)

Type:

Postal Stationery

Place:

Prussia (kingdom)

Date:

1852

Object number:

0.152441.64.51.1

See more items in:

National Postal Museum Collection

Data Source:

National Postal Museum

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm8a3bff9f1-593c-4c6c-891a-0e3698c0c064

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npm_0.152441.64.51.1

Creator:

Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.  Search this

Hoberman, Chuck  Search this

Names:

Hoberman Associates, Inc.  Search this

Extent:

0.25 Cubic feet (3 boxes)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Oral history

Interviews

Videotapes

Date:

1996-05-08

Summary:

This collection contains original videos documenting Chuck Hoberman, inventor the Hoberman Sphere.

Scope and Contents note:

Original videotapes documenting Chuck Hoberman, inventor of expandable geodesic domes and spheres. Hoberman invented the Hoberman Sphere, Iris Dome, and a collapsible frisbee, tent and briefcase.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into three series.

Series 1: Original Videos

Series 2: Reference Videos

Series 3: Photographs and Slides

Biographical/Historical note:

Chuck Hoberman was born in 1956 and attended Brown University and holds a B.F.A. from Cooper Union and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. He also holds four patents on ways to pleat sheets (of metal, plastic, or paper), and two patents on truss structures (structures that are based on series of triangles joined together). Hoberman has built expandable geodesic domes and spheres, including a motorized geodesic sphere that expands from 4.5 feet in diameter to 18 feet in diameter. Another dome, the "Iris Dome," could be used for emergency shelters and portable exhibition spaces. He named the dome after the iris of an eye, which also expands and contracts proportionally. Besides the Iris Sphere and a small toy called the Hoberman Sphere, Chuck Hoberman has invented a collapsible frisbee, a collapsible tent, and a collapsible briefcase. Hoberman combines aesthetics (the art of making things look pleasing to the eye) with engineering with problem-solving. His intriguing creations, based on both basic geometry and complex mathematics, solve problems or offer opportunities in the real world. In 1990, he founded his own company, called Hoberman Associates, Inc.

Provenance:

This collection was created by the Innovative Lives Program of The Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation on May 8, 1996. The Innovative Lives series brings young people and American inventors together to discuss inventions and the creative process and to experiment and play with hands-on activities related to each inventor's product.

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research but the original videos are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.

Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions. Signed copies of release on file.

Topic:

Sphere  Search this

Inventors -- 1990-2000  Search this

Geometry -- Descriptive  Search this

Geometry -- Modern  Search this

Inventions -- 1990-2000  Search this

Domes  Search this

Flying discs (Game)  Search this

Frisbees  Search this

Geodesics (Mathematics)  Search this

Architectural design  Search this

Architecture  Search this

Slides  Search this

Photographs  Search this

Genre/Form:

Oral history -- 1990-2000

Interviews -- 1980-2000

Videotapes -- 1990-2000

Citation:

Chuck Hoberman Innovative Lives Presentation, 1996, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

Identifier:

NMAH.AC.0604

See more items in:

Chuck Hoberman Innovative Lives Presentation

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8ec72e45a-fb83-4288-87d8-8dd05ed991c0

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0604

Physical Description:

brass (overall material)

Measurements:

overall: 4 1/4 in x 10 in x 3 1/4 in; 10.795 cm x 25.4 cm x 8.255 cm

Object Name:

bristophon

Place Made:

United States: Connecticut, Waterbury

Credit Line:

The University of Maryland Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences

ID Number:

MG.306749.03

Catalog number:

306749.03

Accession number:

306749

See more items in:

Medicine and Science: Medicine

Data Source:

National Museum of American History

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ad-425b-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmah_1397068

Published by:

MelPat Associates, American, 1965 - 1986  Search this

Created by:

C. Melvin Patrick, American, died 1985  Search this

Subject of:

Universal Network Television, American, founded 1950  Search this

Alex Haley, American, 1921 - 1992  Search this

Percy Ellis Sutton, American, 1920 - 2009  Search this

Columbia Records, American, founded 1888  Search this

Brown & Williamson, American, born 1894  Search this

Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc., American, founded 1937  Search this

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry  Search this

National Association of Market Developers, American, founded 1953  Search this

National Medical Association, American, founded 1895  Search this

Prince Hall Freemasonry, founded 1784  Search this

Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, Inc., American, founded 1913  Search this

National Newspaper Publishers Association, American, founded 1827  Search this

Roy Wilkins, American, 1901 - 1981  Search this

National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., American, founded 1935  Search this

National Association of Black Social Workers, American, founded 1968  Search this

National Pan-Hellenic Council, American, founded 1930  Search this

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., American, founded 1932  Search this

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, American, founded 1914  Search this

National Medical Association, American, founded 1895  Search this

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, American, founded 1914  Search this

National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., American, founded 1923  Search this

National Urban League, American, founded 1910  Search this

National Dental Association, American, founded 1913  Search this

National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc., American, founded 1919  Search this

Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., American, founded 1943  Search this

National Medical Association, American, founded 1895  Search this

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, American, founded 1913  Search this

President Jimmy Carter, American, born 1924  Search this

Shriners International, American, founded 1870  Search this

Daughters of Isis, American, founded 1910  Search this

Opportunities Industrialization Center of America, Inc., American, founded 1964  Search this

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., American, founded 1906  Search this

National Urban League Guild, American, founded 1946  Search this

Tuskegee Airmen, 1941 - 1946  Search this

Congressional Black Caucus, American, founded 1971  Search this

Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the World, American, founded 1898  Search this

National Council of Negro Women, founded 1935  Search this

Muhammad Ali, American, 1942 - 2016  Search this

369th Veterans Association, American  Search this

Southern Christian Leadership Conference, American, founded 1957  Search this

Prince Hall Freemasonry, founded 1784  Search this

National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., American, founded 1935  Search this

Northside Center for Child Development, Inc., founded 1946  Search this

Medium:

ink on paper

Dimensions:

H x W x D: 10 13/16 × 8 7/16 × 5/16 in. (27.5 × 21.4 × 0.8 cm)

Type:

magazines (periodicals)

Place made:

Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted:

Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs, Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date:

1977

Topic:

African American  Search this

Advertising  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Associations and institutions  Search this

Black Press  Search this

Business  Search this

Communities  Search this

Fraternal organizations  Search this

Fraternities  Search this

Government  Search this

HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)  Search this

Journalism  Search this

Labor  Search this

Mass media  Search this

Men  Search this

Political organizations  Search this

Politics  Search this

Professional organizations  Search this

Religion  Search this

Social life and customs  Search this

Sororities  Search this

Sports  Search this

Tennis  Search this

U.S. History, 1969-2001  Search this

Urban life  Search this

Women  Search this

Women's organizations  Search this

Credit Line:

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Anne B. Patrick and the family of Hilda E. Stokely

Object number:

2012.167.11

Restrictions & Rights:

Public domain

See more items in:

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification:

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a191f832-64ab-4d62-81fe-a2bc53493bea

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmaahc_2012.167.11

Creator:

Perkins, James Secor  Search this

Gilbreth, Frank Bunker, 1868-1924  Search this

Gilbreth, Lillian Moller, 1878-1972  Search this

Extent:

5 Cubic feet (19 boxes)

5 Cubic feet (19 boxes)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Videotapes

Betacam sp (videotape format)

Motion pictures (visual works)

Date:

1907-2000

bulk 1911-1924

Summary:

The collection consists primarily of glass plate slides (negative and positive), photo prints, and stereographs documenting the work undertaken by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth from 1910 to 1924 in the fields of motion study, shop efficiency, and factory organization. Also included are slides dcoumenting the Gilbreth Family, their travels, residences, and friends. The collection also contains the film "The Original Films of Gilbreth The Quest for the One Best Way," 1968 by James S. Perkins.

Scope and Contents:

The collection consists primarily of glass plate slides (negative and positive), photo prints, and stereographs documenting the work undertaken by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth from 1910 to 1924 in the fields of motion study, shop efficiency, and factory organization. As scientific managers, the Gilbreth's introduced new techniques to analyze work, the workplace, and work practices with the goal of eliminating waste to maximize productivity. The collection illustrates these new techniques and their application to a wide variety of studies. The collection is diverse and provides insight into understanding how Gilbreth approached his studies. Also included are slides documenting the Gilbreth Family, their travels, residences, and friends. The collection also contains the film "The Original Films of Gilbreth The Quest for the One Best Way," 1968 by James S. Perkins.

Series 1, Background Information, 1892-1997, includes biographical materials about Frank B. Gilbreth; copies of some of Frank Gilbreth's patents, 1892-1916; and printed materials, 1907-1997, that contain articles, newspaper and magazine clippings about Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and time and motion study generally. Black-and-white photo prints of Gilbreth or work Gilbreth documented from collections held at Purdue University and Ohio State University are included.

Series 2, Glass plate stereo slides, 1910-1924, consists of approximately 2,250 glass stereo slides photographed by Frank B. Gilbreth and others and intended for viewing through an optical viewing machine. Some are positive black and white, positive color, and negative black and white. The subject matter of the slides covers the work undertaken by Frank Gilbreth from 1910 to 1924 in the fields of motion study, shop efficiency, and factory organization. Many of the images serve as documentation for the studies the couple performed as they were hired by firms in an attempt to provide solutions to the problems of inefficiency. Also included are the Gilbreth Family, their travels, residences, and friends.

The slides are numbered sequentially. For example, a glass plate slide numbered 318949.001 will have a corresponding photoprint 318949.001 in Series 3, Photoprints of glass plate slides. Note: not all glass plate slides have corresponding photoprints. Additionally, there are Office of Photographics Services, Smithsonian Institution negative numbers assigned to many of the photo prints.

Some subject categories include:

Frank B. Gilbreth: working in motion laboratories, on factory inspections, seated in offices, with family and friends, in World War I uniform, watching and monitoring shop operations.

Lillian M. Gilbreth: with family, during university graduation ceremonies, traveling and working with Frank and observing office workers.

Gilbreth Family: family on the road in an automobile, at home seated around the dinner table, in the parlor, in the garden, and with friends and relatives.

Gilbreth ship travel: contains views on steamer voyages to Europe, deck scenes, arrivals, departures, ship officers and crew, and other passengers.

Automobile assembly study: internal and external views of a warehouse/factory, including large piles or rows of metal car frames and other parts.

Benchwork study: images of a male worker standing or sitting in a chair while filing an object secured in a vice at a workbench.

Betterment: images of efforts whcih contributed to industrial betterment (the Gilbreth chair, employee library, and the home reading box).

Bricklaying study: view of men wearing overalls and caps, shoveling, and men laying bicks.

Business and apparatus of motion study: views of lectures, meetings, film showings, demonstrations, charts, drawings, motion models, charts amd some equipment.

Disabled study: views of partially blind World War I veterans, amputees using special tytpewriter, assembling machinery, use of cructhes, and a one armed dentist.

Factory bench work: table-top machines assembly operations, hand tools, orderly arrangement of parts prior to and during assembly and a variety of bench vises.

Factory documentation: various images of the interior and edterior of factories including heavy machinery.

Golfing study: various cyclegraphs of a man swinging a golf club.

Grid boards: back drops used by Gikbreth to isolate and measure worker motions. This includes walls, floors, desktops, and drop cloths divided into grids of various densities and scales.

Handwriting and cyclegraphs: finger lights moving in patterns of script.

Ladders: include step ladders and painters' ladders shown in use near shelving.

Light assembly study: wide variety of images ranging from cyclegraphs of women working, to the factory floor as well as tools and machinery.

Materials handling study: different angles of an empty cart, a cart oiled high with boxes, and a man pushing a cart illustrating different body positions.

Military study: illustrate work on the Army foot meausring machine, gun parts, men holding a rifle.

Motion models: images of simple wire motionmodels.

Needle trade study: views of textile machinery and workers.

Office study: various shots inside of an office with tables, desks, drawers, files, and typewriters. Some of the images are cyclegraphs of femal and male workers performing tasks, such as writing, both tin the context of an office as well as in front of a grdidded background. There are several close-ups of an organizer containing penciles, paperclips, pins and rubberbands.

Packing: methods of placing and arranging goods in boxes, such as soap packing.

Panama-Pacific Exposition 1915: contains views of statuary, fountains, and architecture of the exposition held in San Francisco.

Pure light cyclegraphs: no workers or grids visible only finger lights in motion.

Rubber stamping study: hand movements and access to ink pads and stamps.

Scenic views: views of buildings, landscapes, street scenes, and fountains from around the world documenting Gilbreth's travels.

Shoe making study: laboratory studies of shoe assembly operations with an emphasis on workers access to component pieces.

Shop machinery: various shots of machines and workers working with machines.

Signage: include organizational flow charts, shop floor plans, route maps, office layouts, numbering systems, exhibit display boards illustrating Frank Gilbreth's efficiency studies and techniques.

Stacking: views of the art and science of stacking boxes, clothing, equipment, containers, and vertical storage without shelves.

Stock bins: consists of storage pips, paper, other raw materials, shelves, and corridoe shots.

Storage: images illustrate contrast between old techniques and new.

Surgical and dental studies: thester views of surgeons, assistants, nurses, hand motions in grasping, placing surgical instruments, dental work and self inspection of teeth.

Tool cribs: storage of hand tools in shops with an emphasis on easy access and easy inventorying.

Typing study: various views of femaile s under observation using Remington typewriters.

Series 3, Photoprints of glass plate slides, 1910-1924, consist of black and white photoprints of the glass plate slides depicting the fields of motion study, shop efficiency, and factory organization. Also included are the Gilbreth Family, their travels, residences, and friends.

Series 5, Stereographs,1911-1914,

Series 6, Audio Visual Materials, 1968, 2000, and undated, is divided into three subseries: Subseries 1, Audio visual documentation, 1968 and undated; Subseries 2, Moving Images, 1968 and undated; and Subseries 3, Audio Recordings, 1980, 1990,. 2000 and undated. The series contains several formats: 7" open reel-to-reel audio tape, 1/2" VHS, Beta Cam SP, DVD, audio cassette, one inch audio tape, and 16 mm film.

Subseries 1, Audio visual documentation, 1967-1968 and undated, consists of supplemental documentation for the film, "The Original Films of Gilbreth The Quest for the One Best Way." Specifically, there are brochures and other printed materials detailing what the film is about and how copies may be obtained. This subseries also contains a copy of the book Cheaper by the Dozen, 1948. The book was written by Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey and tells the biographical story of Frank Bunker Gilbreth and Lillian Moller Gilbreth, and their twelve children. The book was adapted to film by Twentieth Century Fox in 1950.

Subseries 2, Moving Images, 1967, consists of one title, "The Original Films of Gilbreth The Quest for the One Best Way." The film materials consist of the film's production elements: 16 mm black and white negative A-roll; 16mm black-and-white negative B-roll; and the optical track negative. Each is 800 feet in length.

The film presents a summary of work analysis films which were taken by Frank B. Gilbreth between 1919 and 1924 showing a number of industrial operations from which the motion study was developed. Demonstrates motion and fatigue study, skill study, plant layout and material handling, inventory control, production control, business procedures, safety methods, developing occupations for the handicapped, athletic training and skills, military training, and surgical operations as researched and developed by Gilbreth. Points out that Gilbreth created entirely new techniques on how to improve industrial efficiency, while at the same time significantly improving conditions for the workers. The film was produced by James S. Perkins in collaboration with Dr. Ralph M. Barnes and with commentary by Liilian M. Gilbreth and James S. Perkins. The film was presented on December 3, 1968 at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Annual Meeting in New York. The formats for this title include: 16 mm, Beta Cam SP, and DVD. Additionally, there is a one inch audio tape recording for the film.

Subseries 3, Audio Recordings, 1980, 1990, 2000 and undated consist of a Smithsonian radio program titled "Inside the Smithsonian, Cheaper by The Dozen," from 1980 and an recording of Ernestine Gilbreth Casey discussing Gilbreth Family photographs from 2000. Hosted by [Ann Carroll?], "Inside the Smithsonian, Cheaper by The Dozen," featured Fred and Bill Gilbreth discussing their parents Frank and Lillian, Gilbreth, and the book Cheaper by the Dozen. The radio program coincided with the 100th Anniversary of the American Society of Mechancial Engineers (founded 1880)of which Lillian Gilbreth was the Society's first female member and showcased a single case exhibition at the Museum of History and Technology (now the National Museum of American History) titled "Frank and Lillian Gilbreth: Motion Engineers." Inside Smithosnian Radio was a weekly program produced by the Office of Telecommunications. The recording of Ernestine Gilbreth Carey was recorded on July 9, 2000 and documents Ms. Carey's identification and discussion of Gilbreth Family photographs. David Ferguson assisted in the discussion. A hard copy index to the photographs Ms. Carey discusses is available.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into six series.

Series 1: Background Materials, 1892-1997

Subseries 1.1: Frank B. Gilbreth, undated

Subseries 1.2: Frank B. Gilbreth patents, 1892-1916

Subseries 1.3: Printed Materials, 1907-1997

Series 2: Glass Stereo Slides (Positive), 1910-1924 and undated

Series 3: Photo prints of glass stereo slides, 1910-1924 and undated

Subseries 3.1: Photo Print Books, 1-9, undated

Subseries 3.2: Photo prints (duplicates), undated

Series 4: Stereo Autochromes, undated

Series 5: Stereograph Cards, 1911-1914

Series 6: Audio Visual Materials, 1968, 1990, 2000 and undated

Subseries 6.1, Audio visual documentation, 1968 and undated

Subseries 6.2: Moving images, 1968 and undated

Subseries 6.3: Audio recordings, 1980, 1990, 2000, and undated

Biographical / Historical:

Frank Gilbreth is best known for his work on the efficiency of motion. Working with his wife and professional partner Lillian Moller Gilbreth, he applied modern psychology to his work with management. His innovative motion studies were used on factory workers, typists and the disabled. Gilbreth established the link between psychology and education to be succesful management.

Frank Gilbreth was born in Fairfield, Maine on July 7, 1868. His parents, John and Martha Bunker Gilbreth were New Englanders. John Gilbreth ran a hardware business, but died when Frank was only three. Bearing the responsibilty of raising her children alone, Martha moved the family twice in search of quality education for her children. Ultimately she decided to school the children herself. In 1885, Frank graduated from English High School in Boston. Despite gaining admission into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Frank opted to enter the work world immediately as a bricklayer's apprentice with Whidden and Company, building contractors in Boston.

Smart and skilled, Gilbreth worked his way up in the company. He learned the trade quickly and soon was promoted to supervisor, foreman, and finally to the position of superintendent. To further his edcuation, he went to night school to study mechanical drawing.

At the age of 27, Gilbreth embarked upon his first business venture. He started his own contracting firm. His firm developed a fine reputation for quality work at a very rapid pace. He invented tools, scaffolding, and other contraptions to make the job easier. His company goals included the elimination of waste, the conservation of energy, and the reduction of cost. His work included canals, factories, houses, and dams. His clients came from all parts of the United States, and he performed some work in England.

In 1903, Frank Gilbreth met Lillian Moller (1903-1972) and married her on October 19, 1904. Lillian graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a BA (1900) and MA (1902). She later earned a Ph.D from Brown University (1915), earning a dissertation titled The Psychology of Management. Lillian's academic work, large family and integral role in Frank's consulting business kept her busy. Her contributions to the business led to a greater understanding of an individual's welfare in the work world. This becamme a key idea to increasing productivity through scientific management techniques.

Working together, the couple became leaders in the new field of scientific management. They published books, gave lectures, and raised tweleve children together: Anne, Mary (1906--912), Ernestine, Martha, Frank Jr., William, Lillian, Frederick, Daniel, John, Robert and Jane. Some of Gilbreth's books include Fields System (1908); Concrete System (1908); Bricklaying System (1909; Motion Study (1911); and Primer of Scientific Management (1911). Gilbreth co-authored with Lillian: Time Study (1916); Fatigue Study (1916); Applied Motion Study (1917); and Motion Study for the Handicapped (1919).

It wasn't long before Gilbreth moved away from construction. Together with his wife, they focused on the link between psychology and motion. With her strong psychological background, and his interest in efficiency, the Gilbreth's opened the School of Scientific Management in 1913. The school was in session for four years. Numerous professional attended the school, and soon the Gilbreth's had established a reputation as consultant's to the new field of scientific management.

In 1912, Frank won a contract with the New England Butt Company in Providence, Rhode Island. There he installed his system of scientific management in a factory setting for the first time. Contracts with the Hermann-Aukam handkerchief manufacturing company in New Jersey and the Auergessellschaft Company in Germany followed. Using motion study, Gilbreth studied and reoganized the factories, attempting to find "the one best way" to do work.

Gilbreth traveled to Germany to continue his work was a scientific manager. He visited factories and hospitals, working to improve procedures and eliminate waste. Using micro-motion study and the chronocyclegraph procedure, he analyzed and dissected motion, discovering therblings, the seventeen fundamental units of any motion. World War I slowed Gilbreth's progress abroad, so he focused his consulting business on firms n the United States.

After World War I, Gilbreth's business thrived. in 1920, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers instituted its Management Division, something Gilbreth had been demanding for years. He was now a famous American engineer, gaining financial rewards as as professional honors.

Frank Gilbreth died suddenly of a heart attack on June 14, 1924, still in the middle of three contracts. He was honored after his death in 1944 by the American Society of Engineers and the American Management Association with the Gant Gold Medal. After Frank's death, Lillian moved the family to California where she continued to work on efficiency and health in industry issues. She was a respected buiness woman and was hired by several companies to train employees, study working conditions, and reduce fatigue. She lectured at several universities (Newark College of Engineering and the University of Wisconsin), and joined the faculty at Purdue University in 1935 as the first woman professor in the engineering school.

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth often used their large family (and Frank himself) as guinea pigs in experiments. Their family exploits are lovingly detailed in the 1948 book Cheaper by the Dozen, written by Frank Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey.

Related Materials:

Material in Other Institutions

Purdue University, Archives and Special Collections

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth papers, 1869-2000

The Gilbreth Papers documents the professional and personal lives of Frank Gilbreth and Lillian Gilbreth. The collection consists of personal papers, letters, correspondence, photographs, and other memorabilia that Lillian Gilbreth collected during her life regarding her youth, marriage, family, and career.

Collection of materials related to Lillian Gilbreth, 1964-2006

One folder of items relating to the life of Lillian Gilbreth, and her family, collected by her granddaughter, Lillian (Jill) Barley and Nancy Weston. Materials include clippings relating to the Lillian Gilbreth postage stamp (1984); obituaries and memorial programs for Peter Barney, Ernestine Carey, Lillian Gilbreth, Anne Gilbreth Barney, Charles Carey, and Frank Gilbreth Jr.; programs and photographs relating to Lillian Gilbreth's visit to Athens in 1964; and biographical information on Lillian Gilbreth.

Cornell University, Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives

Frank Gilbreth Papers on Microfilm, Collection Number: 5424 mf

Selected papers pertaining to industrial engineering. Original materials are held by Purdue University. Microfilm copied purchased from Purdue University in April 1968.

Provenance:

The collection materials were donated by several individuals: New Jersey Institute of Technology (1975); Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr., (1980); Ernestine Gilbreth Carey (1995); Daniel B. Gilbreth (1998); and James Secor Perkins in 2001.

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Series 2: Glass Stereo Slides are restricted. Boxes 3-9 were digitized in 2021. Researchers must use digital copies. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.

Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Topic:

Motion study  Search this

Machinery industry  Search this

Machine shops  Search this

Industrial management  Search this

Industrial films  Search this

Industrial engineering  Search this

Genre/Form:

Videotapes

BetaCam SP (videotape format)

Motion pictures (visual works) -- 1930-1950

Citation:

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Identifier:

NMAH.AC.0803

See more items in:

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Collection

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8a48e652d-6387-4a23-98c0-299772c454d5

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0803

Artist:

Philip Alexius de László, 1869 - 1937  Search this

Sitter:

Ambrose Swasey, 1846 - 1937  Search this

Medium:

Oil on canvas

Dimensions:

Stretcher: 129.6 × 96.6cm (51 × 38")

Type:

Painting

Date:

1931

Topic:

Interior  Search this

Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair  Search this

Costume\Jewelry\Ring  Search this

Costume\Jewelry\Pin\Tie pin  Search this

Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie  Search this

Costume\Jewelry\Chain  Search this

Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Beard  Search this

Ambrose Swasey: Male  Search this

Ambrose Swasey: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist\Manufacturer  Search this

Ambrose Swasey: Science and Technology\Engineer  Search this

Ambrose Swasey: Society and Social Change\Philanthropist\Benefactor  Search this

Ambrose Swasey: Science and Technology\Engineer\Mechanical engineer  Search this

Portrait  Search this

Credit Line:

Owner: Western Reserve Historical Society

Object number:

72.65.18

Restrictions & Rights:

Usage conditions apply

See more items in:

Catalog of American Portraits

Data Source:

Catalog of American Portraits

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm47cc9c78e-d486-40f0-a76c-f2afa6538e02

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npg_72.65.18

Artist:

Jon R. Friedman, born 1947  Search this

Sitter:

Charles Vest, 9 Sep 1941 - 12 Dec 2013  Search this

Medium:

Acrylic, graphite and oil on canvas

Dimensions:

141 x 101.6cm (55 1/2 x 40")

Type:

Painting

Date:

2007

Topic:

Interior  Search this

Costume\Dress Accessory\Eyeglasses  Search this

Architecture  Search this

Costume\Footwear\Shoes  Search this

Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Bench  Search this

Interior\Academic  Search this

Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie  Search this

Human Figures  Search this

Charles Vest: Male  Search this

Charles Vest: Education and Scholarship\Educator\Professor\University  Search this

Charles Vest: Education and Scholarship\Administrator\University administrator\University president  Search this

Charles Vest: Literature\Writer\Essayist  Search this

Charles Vest: Science and Technology\Engineer\Mechanical engineer  Search this

Charles Vest: Science and Technology\Scientific society administrator  Search this

Portrait  Search this

Credit Line:

Owner: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Object number:

MA900742

Restrictions & Rights:

Usage conditions apply

See more items in:

Catalog of American Portraits

Data Source:

Catalog of American Portraits

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4c756bd40-dd2f-4f6e-8f93-6392fba06a81

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npg_MA900742

Artist:

Hans Wollner, 1899 - 1946  Search this

Sitter:

Henry Ford, 30 Jul 1863 - 7 Apr 1947  Search this

Medium:

Bronze

Dimensions:

Without Base: 42.2 x 50.8 x 23.5cm (16 5/8 x 20 x 9 1/4")

Type:

Sculpture

Date:

1963 cast after 1937 original

Topic:

Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie  Search this

Henry Ford: Male  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist  Search this

Henry Ford: Science and Technology\Engineer\Mechanical engineer  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist\Manufacturer\Automobile  Search this

Portrait  Search this

Credit Line:

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Henry Ford Trade School Alumni Association

Object number:

NPG.65.3

Restrictions & Rights:

CC0

See more items in:

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Exhibition:

20th Century Americans: 1900-1930 (re-installation 2012)

On View:

NPG, South Gallery 322

Data Source:

National Portrait Gallery

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4919c6572-24c8-409a-a31a-9db4e7e85fb2

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npg_NPG.65.3

Artist:

Hans Wollner, 1899 - 1946  Search this

Sitter:

Henry Ford, 30 Jul 1863 - 7 Apr 1947  Search this

Medium:

Plaster

Dimensions:

42cm (16 9/16"), Accurate

Type:

Sculpture

Date:

1937

Topic:

Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie  Search this

Henry Ford: Male  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist  Search this

Henry Ford: Science and Technology\Engineer\Mechanical engineer  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist\Manufacturer\Automobile  Search this

Portrait  Search this

Credit Line:

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Raymond H. Schettler

Object number:

NPG.80.139

Restrictions & Rights:

CC0

See more items in:

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Data Source:

National Portrait Gallery

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm45cc6e722-d6ac-42c2-8f7f-7a1ade30f7f0

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npg_NPG.80.139

Artist:

Samuel Johnson Woolf, 12 Feb 1880 - 03 Dec 1948  Search this

Sitter:

Henry Ford, 30 Jul 1863 - 7 Apr 1947  Search this

Medium:

Charcoal and chalk on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 24 × 19 cm (9 7/16 × 7 1/2")

Sheet: 43 × 28 cm (16 15/16 × 11")

Type:

Drawing

Date:

1938

Topic:

Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie  Search this

Henry Ford: Male  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist  Search this

Henry Ford: Science and Technology\Engineer\Mechanical engineer  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist\Manufacturer\Automobile  Search this

Portrait  Search this

Credit Line:

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution © Estate of S.J. Woolf

Object number:

NPG.80.258.A

Restrictions & Rights:

CC0

See more items in:

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Data Source:

National Portrait Gallery

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm426229e0b-4df5-4813-86ac-56a2bb03c2e6

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npg_NPG.80.258.A

Artist:

Samuel Johnson Woolf, 12 Feb 1880 - 03 Dec 1948  Search this

Sitter:

Henry Ford, 30 Jul 1863 - 7 Apr 1947  Search this

Medium:

Charcoal and chalk on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 50.5 × 12.2 cm (19 7/8 × 4 13/16")

Sheet: 64.6 × 25 cm (25 7/16 × 9 13/16")

Type:

Drawing

Date:

1938

Topic:

Costume\Headgear\Hat  Search this

Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie  Search this

Henry Ford: Male  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist  Search this

Henry Ford: Science and Technology\Engineer\Mechanical engineer  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist\Manufacturer\Automobile  Search this

Portrait  Search this

Credit Line:

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution © Estate of S.J. Woolf

Object number:

NPG.80.258.B

Restrictions & Rights:

CC0

See more items in:

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Data Source:

National Portrait Gallery

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4df642b7f-471d-41c7-ae74-111e574be8ae

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npg_NPG.80.258.B

Artist:

Samuel Johnson Woolf, 12 Feb 1880 - 03 Dec 1948  Search this

Sitter:

Henry Ford, 30 Jul 1863 - 7 Apr 1947  Search this

Medium:

Charcoal and chalk on paper

Dimensions:

Image/Sheet: 23.4 × 22.6 cm (9 3/16 × 8 7/8")

Type:

Drawing

Date:

1938

Topic:

Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie  Search this

Henry Ford: Male  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist  Search this

Henry Ford: Science and Technology\Engineer\Mechanical engineer  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist\Manufacturer\Automobile  Search this

Portrait  Search this

Credit Line:

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Object number:

NPG.80.258.C

Restrictions & Rights:

CC0

See more items in:

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Data Source:

National Portrait Gallery

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm47395388b-24e2-4c04-a0d8-6b02314da0e8

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npg_NPG.80.258.C

Artist:

Samuel Johnson Woolf, 12 Feb 1880 - 03 Dec 1948  Search this

Sitter:

Henry Ford, 30 Jul 1863 - 7 Apr 1947  Search this

Medium:

Charcoal and chalk on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 19.4 × 15 cm (7 5/8 × 5 7/8")

Sheet: 39.7 × 28 cm (15 5/8 × 11")

Type:

Drawing

Date:

1938

Topic:

Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie  Search this

Henry Ford: Male  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist  Search this

Henry Ford: Science and Technology\Engineer\Mechanical engineer  Search this

Henry Ford: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Industrialist\Manufacturer\Automobile  Search this

Portrait  Search this

Credit Line:

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Object number:

NPG.80.258.D

Restrictions & Rights:

CC0

See more items in:

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Data Source:

National Portrait Gallery

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm410cb1d88-6668-4446-a7f3-5a035fdc6383

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:npg_NPG.80.258.D