# Lillian Moller Gilbreth

> American psychologist and industrial engineer (1878–1972)

**Wikidata**: [Q40197](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q40197)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillian_Moller_Gilbreth)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lillian-moller-gilbreth

## Summary
Lillian Moller Gilbreth was an American psychologist and industrial engineer (1878–1972) who pioneered time-and-motion studies in industrial engineering and applied psychological principles to workplace efficiency. She co-founded the Women’s Engineering Society and contributed to scientific management through her work with her husband, Frank Gilbreth, on motion studies and productivity techniques.

## Biography
- Born: May 24, 1878
- Nationality: United States
- Education: University of California, Berkeley; Brown University; University of Wisconsin–Madison; Purdue University
- Known for: Advancing industrial engineering through time-and-motion studies and psychological applications
- Employer(s): University of California, Berkeley; Brown University; University of Wisconsin–Madison; Purdue University
- Field(s): Industrial engineering; psychology

## Contributions
Lillian Moller Gilbreth co-authored *Cheaper by the Dozen* (1948) with her husband, Frank Gilbreth, which introduced time-and-motion studies to improve household efficiency. She contributed to the development of the Gilbreth System, a method for analyzing and optimizing work processes. Her work influenced industrial engineering and scientific management, emphasizing the application of psychological principles to workplace productivity.

## FAQs
**What was Lillian Moller Gilbreth’s primary contribution to industrial engineering?**
Lillian Moller Gilbreth co-developed the Gilbreth System, a time-and-motion study method that applied psychological principles to workplace efficiency. Her work with her husband, Frank Gilbreth, led to the publication of *Cheaper by the Dozen* (1948), which introduced these techniques to improve productivity.

**Where did Lillian Moller Gilbreth receive her education?**
Lillian Moller Gilbreth earned degrees from the University of California, Berkeley; Brown University; the University of Wisconsin–Madison; and Purdue University.

**What organizations was Lillian Moller Gilbreth affiliated with?**
Lillian Moller Gilbreth was affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley; Brown University; the University of Wisconsin–Madison; and Purdue University.

**What awards did Lillian Moller Gilbreth receive?**
Lillian Moller Gilbreth received the National Women’s Hall of Fame induction, the Hoover Medal, the Henry Laurence Gantt Medal, and the Washington Award for her contributions to engineering and psychology.

## Why They Matter
Lillian Moller Gilbreth’s work revolutionized industrial engineering by integrating psychological insights into workplace optimization. Her co-authored *Cheaper by the Dozen* (1948) became a foundational text in time-and-motion studies, influencing productivity techniques worldwide. She co-founded the Women’s Engineering Society, advocating for women in engineering and scientific fields. Her methods remain relevant in modern workplace efficiency and human factors research.

## Notable For
- Co-founder of the Women’s Engineering Society (1919)
- Co-author of *Cheaper by the Dozen* (1948), a landmark in time-and-motion studies
- Pioneer of psychological applications in industrial engineering
- Recipient of the National Women’s Hall of Fame induction (1969)
- Awarded the Hoover Medal (1930), Henry Laurence Gantt Medal (1929), and Washington Award (1916)

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Lillian Evelyn Moller was born on May 24, 1878. She earned degrees from the University of California, Berkeley; Brown University; the University of Wisconsin–Madison; and Purdue University, establishing herself as an early advocate for women in engineering and psychology.

### Career and Research
Lillian Moller Gilbreth collaborated with her husband, Frank Gilbreth, on time-and-motion studies, leading to the development of the Gilbreth System. Their co-authored *Cheaper by the Dozen* (1948) introduced these methods to improve workplace efficiency and household productivity. She applied psychological principles to industrial engineering, influencing scientific management practices.

### Professional Affiliations
Lillian Moller Gilbreth was affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley; Brown University; the University of Wisconsin–Madison; and Purdue University. She co-founded the Women’s Engineering Society in 1919, promoting women’s participation in engineering and scientific fields.

### Awards and Recognition
Lillian Moller Gilbreth received the National Women’s Hall of Fame induction (1969), the Hoover Medal (1930), the Henry Laurence Gantt Medal (1929), and the Washington Award (1916) for her contributions to industrial engineering and psychology.

### Legacy
Lillian Moller Gilbreth’s work in industrial engineering and psychology left a lasting impact on workplace efficiency and human factors research. Her methods remain relevant in modern productivity techniques, and her advocacy for women in engineering continues to inspire future generations.

## References

1. Making Time: Lillian Moller Gilbreth
2. [Source](https://ethw.org/Lillian_Moller_Gilbreth)
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science
5. Geni.com
6. [Source](https://findingaids.smith.edu/repositories/2/resources/611)
7. [Gilbreth, Lillian Moller - National Women's Hall of Fame. National Women's Hall of Fame](https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/lillian-moller-gilbreth/)
8. [Source](https://www.washingtonaward.com/directory/1950s/)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. SNAC
12. Find a Grave
13. Luminous-Lint
14. FemBio database
15. Munzinger Personen
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. Goodreads