Lillian Moller
Gilbreth
May 24, 1878-January
2, 1972
Education & Background
Lillian Moller Gilbreth was born,
Lillian Evelyn Moller on May 24, 1878 in Oakland California. Born the oldest of
nine children, she was home-schooled until the age of nine to help care for her
sick mother and eight younger siblings. From the time she entered public
school, Moller began to excel academically. Against the wishes of her father (a
builder’s supply merchant), Moller attended The University of California, Berkeley
and received her undergraduate degree in literature in 1900. She was also the
first women at Berkeley to give the commencement speech. She went on to receive
her Masters in Literature from The University of California in 1902. Though her
dissertation and the requirements for her PhD. Were completed in 1911 at the
University of California, she was not awarded her doctorate until 1915 from a
separate school. In 1915 Moller graduated from Brown University with the first
doctorate degree in Industrial Psychology.
In the meantime Lillian Moller met
and married Frank Gilbreth. Frank Gilbreth and his wife shared a fascination
with efficiency and management. This must have been helpful in the raising of
their twelve children. In fact many times their children were used as subjects
in the couple’s research on management and efficiency. Many people today may
recognize the book, or the movie “Cheaper by the Dozen” which was in fact
written by the Gilbreth children and co-authored by their parents. Also based
on the families experience was “Belles on Their Toes”. When Frank Gilbreth died
in 1924 his wife became a single parent and the sole supporter for her twelve
children.
Professional Accomplishments
Lillian
Gilbreth achieved much success in her professional career. Much of her innovative
work and research has been incorporated into our daily lives not only in the home
but also in the workplace. Gilbreth worked as a consultant for much of her life
and was a pioneer in the world of ergonomics. She was the first scientist to
document the effects of stress and lack of sleep on workers. As well as
implementing ideas such as an employee suggestion box, and breaks for workers. She
worked with general electric in order to help create a more usable and efficient
kitchen. She patented many inventions in regard to that work such as
modernizing the electric mixer, installing shelves in refrigerator doors, and
probably the most known today the trash
can with a foot petal to open the lid. During the Second World War her opinions
and research were extremely influential to the government who was for the first
time having a large women population in the work force. In 1944 she was the
first women member in the American Society for mechanical engineers. She also
won the Hoover medal of the American society of Civil Engineers in 1966. Not to
mention at least a dozen or more awards for her work. She is also the only psychologist to ever be
on a postage stamp.
Lillian Gilbreth was the pioneer of
today’s working mother. Her many firsts as well as numerous awards helped paved
the way for many other women. She took her roles as mother, wife, and
professional all very seriously. Much of her work has improved our daily lives
as well as greatly improved the modern work environment for the better.
Reference
Society for the Psychology of Women
(accessed September 28, 2012)
Lillian Moller Gilbreth
(accessed September 28, 2012)
(accessed September 28, 2012)
Caitlin Flanagan
Melanie Hill
Psy 350
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