Lillian Moller Gilbreth Papers, 1860-1999
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Sophia Smith Collection Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
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Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Lillian Moller Gilbreth Papers
Creation of Lillian Moller Gilbreth Papers
Time of Creation of Lillian Moller Gilbreth Papers
Gilbreth, Lillian Moller, 1878-1972
Biographical History for: Lillian Moller Gilbreth Papers
Biographical Note The Gilbreth family goes for a ride, circa 1920 Lillian Moller Gilbreth is perhaps most widely known as the mother of the Cheaper by the Dozen family but her talent and groundbreaking influence in the field of industrial engineering is her most remarkable achievement. Lillian Moller was born in 1878 to William Moller, a partner in a large retail hardware business, and Annie Delger. As a youth, she became interested in poetry and pursued her passion as an undergraduate. In 1900, Lillian Moller graduated from the University of California with a degree in British literature. She then attended Columbia University for graduate study in English literature. Two years later she was awarded a Master's degree. In 1903, she met Frank Bunker Gilbreth, a cousin of her chaperone. Frank Gilbreth had risen from an apprentice bricklayer to become a well-known contractor through his labor-saving techniques and ingenuity. The couple married in 1904 and soon thereafter embarked upon a joint career in industrial engineering. After publishing two books, Motion Study (1911) and Primer of Scientific Management (1912), the couple moved from Boston to Providence, Rhode Island where they founded Gilbreth, Incorporated, a consulting engineering firm. Lillian M. Gilbreth received her Ph.D. in industrial psychology from Brown University in 1915. Lillian and Frank Gilbreth were popular lecturers and spoke at many conventions and universities on the subject of motion saving techniques and worker efficiency with respect to both physical ability and psychological variables. Lillian Gilbreth stressed the "human element in management" and believed that the individual worker was more responsive to recognition of good performance than to threats of punishment. This type of positive discipline was integral to the Gilbreth method of management, which they practiced both professionally and also in their domestic life. Between 1905 and 1922, Lillian Gilbreth gave birth to twelve children, eleven of whom survived to adulthood. In 1924, Frank Gilbreth died suddenly of a heart attack. Lillian attempted to continue their consulting business. She experienced so much discrimination in her attempt to go solo in an overwhelmingly male profession, that she began concentrating on issues of homemaking. Gilbreth published two books on the subject, The Home-Maker and Her Job (1927) and Management in the Home (1954). Gilbreth and her husband were also concerned with the needs of disabled individuals. While he was still alive, they published several articles on disabled soldiers and Gilbreth continued this thread by designing equipment and motion saving methods to make household tasks easier for disabled people. She also published two books on this subject, Normal Lives for the Disabled (1933) which she co-authored with Edna Yost, her friend and later biographer, and Straight Talk for Disabled Veterans (1945). Despite the obstacles faced by a woman in the field of engineering, Gilbreth's career flourished. She was appointed professor of management at Purdue University in 1935 and also was a member of the faculty at Newark College of Engineering from 1941-43. She also volunteered for many groups and organizations, including the Girl Scouts of America. Throughout her career, Gilbreth won many awards and was a popular speaker. She died in 1972 at the age of 83. For more information, see Jane Lancaster's dissertation, Wasn't She the Mother in Cheaper by Dozen: A Life of Lillian Moller Gilbreth, 1878-1972 (1998); Laurel Graham's book, Managing on Her Own (1998); and the American National Biography and Notable American Women.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The Lillian Moller Gilbreth Papers consist of 6.5 linear feet of material dating from the late 1860s through 1999. The collection contains both personal and professional papers. Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, her third daughter, has been instrumental in both the documentation and publicity of her mother's career. Carey is the author of two books that describe her unusual upbringing, Cheaper by the Dozen (1948), which she co-authored with her brother Frank Gilbreth, Jr., and Belles on Their Toes (1950). Carey gathered most of the material in this collection in preparation for a biography of her mother. Many of the documents contain notes that reflect Carey's process as a writer and researcher. The Lillian Moller Gilbreth Papers at the Sophia Smith Collection are closely associated with the Ernestine Gilbreth Carey Papers also housed here. A more extensive archive of Lillian Gilbreth is located in the Department of Special Collections and Archives at Purdue University Library.
Authors, American--20th century--Sources
lcsh
Censorship--United States--20th century
Family--United States--History--20th century-Sources
Carey, Ernestine Gilbreth, 1908-
lcnaf
Gilbreth, Frank B. (Frank Bunker), 1911-
Gilbreth, Frank Bunker, 1868-1924
Gilbreth family
series
SERIES I. BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS (1905-99, n.d.)
The material in this series is divided into five subseries: General, Writings about Gilbreth, Family, Death, and Awards, commemorations, remembrances, and tributes. The material under the General heading includes notebooks, memorabilia, date books, address books, itineraries, and a curriculum vita. The Writings about Gilbreth are rather extensive and include scholarly works, articles published in trade magazines, works representing the influence of the Gilbreth method in the field of management, and newspaper clippings. Of particular interest are the scholarly writings by Laurel D. Graham, which discuss Gilbreth's career and the extent of her influence. The material pertaining to the Gilbreth Family includes a family log, a variety of recollections, and material that reflects the unique Gilbreth method of child-rearing. The daily schedules, typewriting instructions, and especially the "Bi-Man" and "The Ambidextrous" magazines created by the children reflect the ways in which the emphasis on efficient time and motion management characterized the Gilbreth home. The subseries that pertains to Gilbreth's Death is comprised mainly of obituaries, numerous letters of condolence, and memorial gifts. Arranged alphabetically, the final subsereries, Awards, commemorations, remembrance, and tributes, accounts for nearly half of all the biographical material contained in this series. While Gilbreth received many honors and awards during her lifetime, the bulk of the material represents posthumous recognition. Especially noteworthy is the material pertaining to the 1984 Gilbreth commemorative stamp; Ernestine Carey, Gilbreth's daughter, spearheaded this initiative and the organizational schemes of many of the letters and virtually all of the notes pertaining to this endeavor are Carey's creation.
SERIES II. CORRESPONDENCE (1879-1984, n.d.)
This series is divided into two subseries, Family and Friends and associates. While there is some correspondence between Gilbreth and her sister, Annie Moller Cross, her husband, and her other children, the bulk of the family correspondence is with her daughter, Ernestine Gilbreth Carey [closed until 2013], dating from 1925, when Carey was a student at Smith College, to 1968, at which point the ailing Gilbreth moved in with her daughter, Ernestine Carey, before taking up her final residence at the Beatitudes nursing home. The correspondence between Gilbreth and her Friends and associates is sparse, with the exceptions of that with her most prominent protégé, Bo Casten Carlberg, and her long-time friend, Jewel C. Hardkopf.
SERIES III. SPEECHES AND WRITINGS (1915-67, n.d.)
This series is organized into two subseries, Speeches and Writings. The transcripts of her speeches span the dates of her solo career and provide excellent insight into the specifics of her management theories; they also offer a glimpse of her personality. Gilbreth's personal life is more apparent in her autobiographical writings and the memoir of her husband, The Quest for the One Best Way. This subseries also contains professional writings she authored individually and a selection of those she wrote in collaboration with her husband. Some of the latter bear only the name of Frank Gilbreth as author. These are included because, as Frank himself acknowledged, Lillian's professional input was a factor in virtually everything he published.
SERIES IV. ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES (1924-81, n.d.)
This series is divided into the subseries Organizations and Professional activities. Organizations includes reports, programs, and printed material from four professional organizations of which Gilbreth was a member. The material regarding Gilbreth's Professional activities relates her to household innovations and includes printed material, newspaper clippings, articles, and notes by Ernestine Carey.
SERIES V. PHOTOGRAPHS (circa 1860s-1996)
The photographs in this series include portraits of Gilbreth alone as well as photographs that document her wedding, various family members, residences, and aspects of her professional life. There are also many photographs documenting the ceremonies that honored Gilbreth after her death. Of particular interest are the numerous images of the eleven surviving Gilbreth children gathered together at the commemorative stamp ceremony.
SERIES VI. OVERSIZE MATERIALS (1904-1995, n.d.)
This series contains an assortment of memorabilia, including Gilbreth's National Women's Hall of Fame medal, material from her wedding gown, a sewing bag, house keys, and a turquoise beret, among other items. Also of interest is the undated 16 mm filmstrip of Gilbreth's speech at Waseda University in Tokyo.
SERIES I. BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS
General
Fact sheet, circa 1984
Curriculum vita, 1969
Notebook, 1945-circa 1953
Datebook, 1968
Address books, 1967-71
Itinerary, 1965, 1967
Beatitudes nursing home guest book, 1969-72
Miscellaneous memorabilia, 1962, 1969-72, n.d.
Writings about Gilbreth
Scholarly works
General, 1983-95, n.d.
Laurel D. Graham
Articles, 1992-99
Lillian Moller Gilbreth's extensions of scientific management into women's work, 1924-1935, 1992
Articles
General, 1923-96, n.d.
Journal of Industrial Engineering, 1962
The Gilbreth Story, 1968
Writings pertaining to Gilbreth's influence on management methods
General (includes Carlberg), 1912-92, n.d.
Frank Gilbreth, Inc., 1923
Foreign language volumes, 1976, 1981, n.d.
Newspaper clippings, 1923-93, n.d.
Notes, n.d.
Family
Marriage announcement, 1904
Family log, 1923-56
Frank Gilbreth's death, 1924
Miscellaneous recollections, n.d.
Children
Birth announcements and list, 1905, 1922
Daily schedules, 1916, 1949
Typewriting instructions and poem, 1916, n.d.
"The Ambidextrous Magazine," vol. IV no. I, 1922
"Bi-Man Magazine," 1922-23
Frank Gilbreth, Jr.
Correspondence regarding Time Out for Happiness, 1971-72
"Just Me," xeroxed copies of Frank Bunker Gilbreth's autobiographical notes and sketches of childhood, n.d.
Miscellaneous, n.d.
Death
Legal documents, 1972, n.d.
Obituaries
Newspaper clippings, 1972
Professional organizations, 1972-74
Memorial services and arrangements, 1972
Contacts, 1972
Letters of condolence
The Heath School, Margaret Firman's 4th and 5th graders, 1972
Telegrams, 1972
Memorial gifts
General, 1972, n.d.
Purdue University Library, 1972
Society of American Women Engineers, circa 1972, n.d.
Awards, commemorations, remembrances, and tributes
American Institute of Industrial Engineers, "The Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Conference": program and publicity, 1962
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Honorary membership award, 1944-50
Frank Gilbreth Centennial Conference, 1968
Program
Correspondence
Tributes and reminiscences
Scholarly papers
Exhibit
Newspaper clippings and articles, 1968-89
Seating arrangement
Notes (EGC), n.d.
Beatitude library memorial exhibit, 1973
CIOS gold medal award: transcript of speech and article, 1954
Commemorative postage stamp
General, 1982-84, n.d.
Family, 1982-83, n.d.
Robert S. Dunham (family friend), 1981-82
Endorsements
Solicitations, contacts, and notes, 1982, n.d.
Individuals
Helen B. Schleman (Dean of Women at Purdue, 1947-68), 1982
Groups and organizations
Seventh grade students, 1982
New Jersey organizations, 1982-84
Indexed correspondence, 1982-84
Publicity, 1983-84, n.d.
Postage stamp, 1984
Commemorative stamp ceremony, 1984
Guest book
Newspaper clippings, 1981-91, n.d.
Catalogs, 1984-91
Materials for commemorative plaque of stamp, 1991
Miscellaneous notes (EGC), n.d.
Gilbreth Medal, Society for Advancement of Management (SAM)
International Awards Programs and Professional Membership Grades Guidelines, 1992
Recipients
Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Family, 1995-96
SAM officials, 1972-96, n.d.
Program and conference material
General, 1996
Speech notes, 1996
Miscellaneous notes and articles (EGC), 1982- circa 1996
Publications, 1969-88, n.d.
Girl Scout Tribute
General: article, correspondence, program, reminiscences, and resolution, 1969-72, 1984
Correspondence with Ernestine Carey, 1984, n.d.
Montclair Chamber of Commerce Award: correspondence, 1964
National Women's Hall of Fame induction, 1995
Southern California Work Simplification Association, "The Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Conference": program and publicity, 1968
"That Reminds Me," anecdotes and recollections of Lillian Gilbreth, 1958-59
Miscellaneous awards, tributes, etc. 1933-95
SERIES II. CORRESPONDENCE
Bunker, Minnie (cousin), 1924-58
Gilbreth, Frank Bunker, 1904-17
Moller, Annie Degler (LMG's mother)
Notes on correspondence (EGC), n.d.
Carey, Ernestine Gilbreth
Re: Beatitudes Gilbreth exhibit and misc., 1973, 1984, n.d.
Transcripts and editorial comments of select pieces of Lillian Gilbreth's correspondence (EGC), n.d.
Gilbreth, Anne, 1927, 1940, n.d.
Gilbreth, Frank Jr., circa 1940s-60 s
Gilbreth, Martha, 1943-44
From children, 1924-28
To children, 1943-44, circa 1950s-60s
To "Family," 1929, 1965-66
Grandchildren, 1955, 1967-68, n.d.
Miscellaneous, 1868, 1904, 1914, 1940s
Friends and associates
General, 1928-48, 1956-70, n.d
Callaghan (?), Jane (secretary to Gilbreth), 1958
Carlberg, Bo Casten
From various Gilbreths (not Lillian), 1969-71
Notes and transcripts of correspondence (EGC), n.d.
Hardkopf, Jewel C.
Hilton, Eunice, 1949, 1954, n.d.
Kersting, Fred, 1962-68
May, Dr. Elizabeth, 1964-69
Merrill, Dot, 1952-60
Parker, Rachel, 1964-68
Sanger, Margaret, 1952
Schwab, Jack, 1968
Witte, Irene, 1955
SERIES III. SPEECHES AND WRITINGS
Speeches
Index and brochure, 1962, n.d.
Transcripts, 1927-67, n.d.
16 mm film recording of speech at Waseda University, Tokyo, n.d.
Writings
Lillian Gilbreth
Professional
List, n.d.
Articles, 1926-64, n.d.
"Suggestions for Taking Examinations" and "How Can We Get More and Better Executives," n.d.
Autobiographical
Untitled, 1941
"My Home Town," n.d.
Lillian and Frank Gilbreth
Articles, 1916-21, n.d.
"Motion Study for the Handicapped," 1920
Frank Gilbreth
Articles, 1915-23, n.d.
Film brochures, n.d.
SERIES IV. ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Organizations
American Society of Mechanical Engineers: report, 1968-69
Centennial of Engineering: convocation program, 1952
Conseil International pour l'Organisation Scientifique (CIOS)
General, 1924-67
13th Congress, 1963
Ernestine Carey's notes and research materials, 1975-81, n.d.
National Academy of Engineering: membership book and 10th anniversary report, 1970, 1976
Professional activities
Gilbreth management desk: printed material, 1931
Kitchens
Kitchen Practical: articles, printed material, 1931, 1955
Heart Kitchens, newspaper clippings, printed material, notes by Ernestine Carey, 1954, 1972-83, n.d.
Fatigue laboratory, n.d.
Miscellaneous printed material, 1930, n.d.
SERIES V. PHOTOGRAPHS
Wedding to Frank Bunker Gilbreth, 1904
Gilbreth alone
Standing barefoot on Nantucket, 1922
Seated on bench, 1964
Standing in Tokyo, n.d.
Looking at portrait of mother, n.d.
Headshot, n.d.
All together, circa 1920
Children, 1916, circa 1940s and 1980s
Extended family, circa 1860s-1910
Frank Gilbreth, circa 1920s
Photographs removed from Gilbreth's datebook, 1968
Frank Gilbreth, 1923
Jane Callaghan, 1964
Rebecca (grandchild?), 1968
Gilbreth matriarch and Mary, n.d.
Teddy, n.d.
Gilbreth with Ray Shafer and R.D. Fowler, n.d.
Boy with rabbits and gun, n.d.
Unidentified woman, n.d.
Residences
Buttonwoods, New York, 1916
The Moller house, California, n.d.
"The Shoe," Gilbreth Nantucket summer house interior, n.d.
"The Shoe," exterior, n.d.
Beatitudes exhibit, 1973
Gilbreth Medal exhibit, 1996
Girl Scout birthday tribute, 1984
General, 1964-67, n.d.
13th CIOS Congress, 1963
SERIES VI. OVERSIZE MATERIALS
Gilbreth's wedding dress material and lace, circa 1904
National Women's Hall of Fame Medal, 1995
Beret worn by Gilbreth "on visits to her children or to suburban friends," n.d.
House keys with gold anagramed key ring, n.d.
Framed poem, "Our Teamwork Kitchen," circa 1950s
Miscellaneous cards, n.d.
Nametag, n.d.
Sewing bag with provisions, n.d.
BOOKS ON SHELF
Boorstin, Daniel J., Portraits from the Americans: The Democratic Experience, 1975
Copley, Frank, The Life of Frederick Taylor, copy with Frank Gilbreth's margin notes, , n.d.
Dvorak, August, Nellie L. Merrick, William L. Dealey, and Gertrude Catherine Ford, Typewriting Behavior: Psychology Applied to Teaching and Learning Typewriting, 1936
Gilbreth, Frank B., Jr., Ancestors of the Dozen, 1994
Gilbreth, Lillian, M., Psychology of Management, 1921
Gilbreth, Lillian, M., The Quest for the One Best Way, reprint 1990
Peabody, Josephine Preston, The Piper, 1910