Lillian Gilbreth
- A Girl Like You Project
- Jun 7, 2023
- 1 min read
Photo: Harris & Ewing/Smithsonian Institution Archives
Lillian Gilbreth was born on May 24, 1878 in Oakland, California. Her time-and-motion study helped develop more efficient methods for industrial employees. In graduate school Gilbreth changed her study focus from literature to psychology. In 1915 she earned her doctorate from Brown.
She and her husband, Frank Gilbreth, analyzed tasks and came up with ideas to improve upon worker efficiency. They often tested these ideas in their household, and wrote books and papers about them. Some of these books include The Home-Maker and Her Job and Management in the Home.
Gilbreth created inventions that improved upon the kitchen. She is known for adding shelves to the refrigerator and adding a foot pedal to the kitchen trash can. Additionally, she created innovative kitchen designs for those with disabilities.
Her children wrote books based on their experiences living in the Gilbreth household. These books were turned into movies: Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) and Belles on Their Toes (1952).
In 1921 Gilbreth was the first women to be inducted into the Society for Industrial Engineers. For her public service as an industrial engineer, she became the first women to receive the Hoover Medal. In 1995 she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
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