Original Films of Frank B Gilbreth (1945)

This collection of Frank B. Gilbreth’s films, curated by James S. Perkins, showcases Gilbreth’s groundbreaking time and motion studies from 1910 to 1924, aimed at enhancing productivity across various industries. Beginning with scenes from Montclair, New Jersey, and brief glimpses into Gilbreth’s family life, the footage explores innovative methods for optimizing tasks such as bricklaying, typewriting, and assembly work. Through strategic adjustments—like repositioning materials for bricklayers and designing an ergonomic typewriter keyboard layout—Gilbreth demonstrates how minimal changes can greatly increase efficiency. His cyclegraph, a device that tracks hand motions with lights, adds a visual element to his study of precise, streamlined movements. The films also show Gilbreth’s unique applications of motion study principles in unexpected areas, such as inventory systems, surgical procedures, and even aiding WWI veterans to work with limited mobility. Spanning over 32 minutes, this compilation highlights how Gilbreth’s early 20th-century insights have shaped modern principles in industrial efficiency, healthcare, and ergonomic design.

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