The Modern Kitchen - Part 2
Dr. Lillian Gilbreth (1878 - 1972) and her husband, Frank, were pioneers in the early 20th century of what became known as time and motion studies. When Frank died, she continued the work on her own. With an undergraduate degree in English, and a PhD in Psychology, she nonetheless was recognized as a world-class industrial engineer. She was a full professor of engineering at Purdue University, and elected as the first woman engineer to several international societies. Her work led to the design of the modern kitchen (triangular configuration of sink-stove-refrigerator), to the automation of department store cashiering (Macy's), and hospital operating theaters. Dr. Gilbreth was awarded 20 honorary degrees and was a featured speaker throughout the world, up to just months before her death. She was also the mother of 12 children, and her life story was the basis for the movie and book Cheaper by the Dozen.
A cousin of my father, Jane Callahan Thiel, was an engineer. Jane lived on Long Island, and worked on Dr. Gilbreth's staff in New York City.
I visited with Jane and her husband in 1958 when I was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. In the mid-1960s, when I was at the University of Vermont, Wilson and Pauline visited with Jane in New York. While there, they made a trip to the city and had lunch with Dr. Gilbreth. The subject of my being at UVM came up, and several months later, Dr. Gilbreth came to Burlington, VT to address the medical faculty and receive an honorary degree from the university. It was during this visit that I received a call to report to the President's office. When I arrived, I was greeted by Dr. Lillian Gilbreth herself.
She shared the story of having lunch with Jane and my parents, and said she was anxious to meet me! We chatted for almost an hour (no, I can't remember what we talked about), at which point she went off to her speaking appointment at the Medical School. She did mention a second colleague, along with Jane, who was retired and living in Vermont. Your mother and I looked her up and paid a visit. I don't remember her name, I do remember she was in a wheelchair, and it was a nice visit.
I came across a book about Dr. Gilbreth by Jane Lancaster:
Making Time: Lillian Moller Gilbreth -- A Life Beyond "Cheaper by the Dozen"
Nov 17, 2015 update - I have made contact with Dr. Lancaster at her home in England. She is about to return to Brown and I'm hoping will be able to fill out the association between Dr. Gilbreth and cousin Jane. What I don't know is when Jane and Dr. G worked together, what projects they collaborated on, or the details of the work she did.
Audio of Paul sharing this story with his younger daughter