Frank and Lillian Gilbreth papers, 1869-2000 | Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

By Joanne Mendes, Archives Assistant

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Collection Overview

Title: Frank and Lillian Gilbreth papers, 1869-2000

Predominant Dates:1949-1968

Primary Creator: Gilbreth, Lillian Moller (1878-1972)

Other Creators: Gilbreth, Frank Bunker (1868 -1924)

Extent: 83.5 Cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into fourteen series:

Diaries and Scrapbooks, ca. 1895-1967

Correspondence, ca. 1906-1970

Clippings, ca. 1913-1996

Publications, ca. 1904-1967

Conferences, ca. 1924-1972

Research Materials, ca. 1873-1968

Audio Visual, ca. 1915-1979

Flow Carts, ca. 1908-1938

Awards and Artifacts, ca. 1917-1984

Printed Materials, ca. 1876-1988

Family & Personal Life, ca. 1864-1972

Photographs, ca. 1864-2000

Oversized Materials, ca. 1920-1978

James S. Perkins, ca. 1940-1995

Date Acquired: 00/00/1972

Subjects: Carey, Ernestine Gilbreth, 1908-2006, Disabled veterans, Elliott, Edward C. (Edward Charles), 1874-1960, Factory management, Gantt, Henry Laurence, 1861-1919, General Electric Company, Gilbreth, Frank and Lillian, Gilbreth, Frank Bunker, 1868-1924, Gilbreth, Frank Jr., 1911-2001, Gilbreth, Inc., Gilbreth, Lillian Moller, 1878-1972, Gilbreth and Company, Gilbreth Contractors, Home economics, Hovde, Frederick L., 1908-1983, Industrial engineering, Industrial management, Kitchens, Motion Study, New England Butt Company, People with disabilities, Perkins, James S., d. 2002, Potter, A. A. (Andrey Abraham), 1882-1979, Shaw, Anne G., Taylor, Frederick Winslow, 1856-1915, Time management, Waseda University, Women's Archives at Purdue University, Women engineers

Forms of Material: Blueprints, Clippings (Information artifacts), Flow charts, Pamphlets, Photographic prints, Scrapbooks, Sound recordings

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Gilbreth Papers documents the professional and personal lives of Frank Gilbreth and Lillian Gilbreth. The collection consists of personal papers, letters, correspondence, photographs, and other memorabilia that Lillian Gilbreth collected during her life regarding her youth, marriage, family, and career.

Biographical Note

Lillian Evelyn Moller was born May 24, 1878 in Oakland, California to William Moller, a successful plumbing business owner, and Annie Delger Moller. The oldest surviving daughter of nine children, Lillian became adept at aiding her often ailing mother in the management of a large well-to-do household. A shy child, Lillian was home-schooled by her mother until she was nine. Once in school, Lillian excelled at her studies and ended up graduating high school with straight As. In 1896, she entered the University of California and became the first woman in the university's history to deliver a commencement address when she graduated in 1900. The following fall, Lillian moved to New York to start her graduate work at Columbia University. An illness forced her to return to California but in 1901 she returned to the University of California and earned a master's degree in literature. In the spring of 1903, Lillian, along with a group of friends, set out for the East Coast to begin a six month tour of Europe. They arrived in Boston and had a few days to sightsee before boarding their ship. One of her friends, Minnie Bunker, introduced Lillian to her cousin, Frank Bunker Gilbreth. Frank, a confirmed bachelor, became infatuated with Lillian and was waiting at the dock when her ship returned. Six months after their first meeting he proposed and on October 19, 1904 Frank and Lillian were married in the living room of her parents home in Oakland, California.

Subject/Index Terms

Carey, Ernestine Gilbreth, 1908-2006
Disabled veterans
Elliott, Edward C. (Edward Charles), 1874-1960
Factory management
Gantt, Henry Laurence, 1861-1919
General Electric Company
Gilbreth, Frank and Lillian
Gilbreth, Frank Bunker, 1868-1924
Gilbreth, Frank Jr., 1911-2001
Gilbreth, Inc.
Gilbreth, Lillian Moller, 1878-1972
Gilbreth and Company
Gilbreth Contractors
Home economics
Hovde, Frederick L., 1908-1983
Industrial engineering
Industrial management
Kitchens
Motion Study
New England Butt Company
People with disabilities
Perkins, James S., d. 2002
Potter, A. A. (Andrey Abraham), 1882-1979
Shaw, Anne G.
Taylor, Frederick Winslow, 1856-1915
Time management
Waseda University
Women's Archives at Purdue University
Women engineers

Administrative Information

Repository: Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

Alternate Extent Statement: 126 boxes

Access Restrictions: The majority of the Gilbreth Papers have no access restrictions. A small portion of the materials have been restricted due to donor request; prior consent from the Gilbreth family is required before viewing.

Use Restrictions: Copyright and literary rights are held by the Gilbreth family. Permission to publish materials from this collection must be obtained from the Gilbreth family.

Physical Access Note: Collection is open for research. Sections of the collection are stored offsite; 24 hours notice is required to access these materials. Due to the extremely fragile nature of the original motion picture films, they are inaccessible until the originals can be restored and duplicated. The following films have been restored and duplicated, and can be accessed on DVD or VHS video tape: Ball Brothers Mason Jars Study, Odds and Ends #2, Odds and Ends #3, The Quest for the One Best Way, Gilbreth Motion Study Sequences, and Dr. Lillian Gilbreth Lecture, International Development in Industrial Engineering. All of the remaining films are currently inaccessible. Funding is currently being sought to restore these films. At this time, the Gilbreth sound recordings are inaccessible due to their fragile condition.

Acquisition Source: Gilbreth family

Acquisition Method: The Gilbreth Papers were donated to Purdue University by the Gilbreth family following the death of Lillian M. Gilbreth in 1972. Additional materials have been added by the family over the years. James S. Perkins donated his collection of Gilbreth compilation films and motion study materials he compiled with Lillian Gilbreth. These materials were added as a separate series to the collection in 1994.

Original/Copies Note: For more information please see http://e-archives.lib.purdue.edu/cdm4/browse.php?CISOROOT=/gilbreth.

Related Materials:

MSP 8, Gilbreth Library of Management Research and Professional papers, 1845-1941

The Gilbreth Book Library located with Purdue University's School of Industrial Engineering

A. A. Potter Papers

UA 2.06, Edward C. Elliot papers

Alice Rice Cook papers

Oral history interviews with the Gilbreth children, located at the University of Oklahoma: http://libraries.ou.edu/media/basshist/default.aspx?authorId=29

For more information please see http://www4.lib.purdue.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=25&q=gilbreth.

Preferred Citation: MSP 7, Frank and Lillian Gilbreth papers, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries

Processing Information: The bulk of the collection was shipped to the university in 1972; additional materials sent by the family have continued to be added to the collection over the years. The collection was arranged by library staff in collaboration with Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. A large portion of materials were originally classified as restricted by the Gilbreth family and stored separately from the collection. In 2006, the restrictions were lifted and the materials were incorporated into the collection. A small portion of materials have been kept on restricted access by library staff at the request of the Gilbreth family.

Other Note: Please see the attached pdf finding aid for the most updated version.

Other URL: http://collections.lib.purdue.edu/fa/pdf/Gilbreth_papers_MSP7.pdf

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Diaries and Scrapbooks, ca. 1895-1967],
[Series 2: Correspondence, ca. 1906-1970],
[Series 3: Clippings, ca. 1913-1996],
[Series 4: Publications, ca. 1904-1967],
[Series 5: Conferences, ca. 1924-1972],
[Series 6: Research Materials, ca. 1873-1968],
[Series 7: Audio Visual, ca. 1915-1979],
[Series 8: Flow Carts, ca. 1908-1938],
[Series 9: Awards and Artifacts, ca. 1917-1984],
[Series 10: Printed Materials, ca. 1876-1988],
[Series 11: Family & Personal Life, ca. 1864-1972],
[Series 12: Photographs, ca. 1864-2000],
[Series 13: Oversized Materials, ca. 1920-1978],
[Series 14: James S. Perkins, ca. 1940-1995],
[All]

Series 12: Photographs, ca. 1864-2000

Box 112: Wooden Press Plate, ca. 1930s

Box 113: Negatives and Plates, ca. 1878-1960s

Folder 1: Photographs, Moller / Delger Family, ca. 1878-1930s: Numbers 1-23
Folder 2: Gilbreth / Bunker Family, ca. 1880s-1920s: Numbers 64-87
Folder 3: Photographs, Unidentified Relatives, 1884; n.d.: Numbers 88-115

Box 114: Family Photographs, ca. 1869-1967

Folder 1: Photographs, Bunker / Moller Homes, n.d.: Numbers 140-148
Folder 2: Photographs, Frank Bunker Gilbreth, ca. 1869-1918: Numbers 149-169
Folder 3: Photographs, Lillian Moller Gilbreth, ca. 1880-1967: Numbers 188-244
Folder 4: Photographs, Wedding, Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, October 19, 1904: Numbers 296-302
Folder 5: Photographs, Family Photographs with Frank Gilbreth, ca. early 1920s: Numbers 303-308
Folder 6: Family Photographs, ca. 1905-1910s: Numbers 361-370

Box 115: Family and Work Related, ca. early 1900s-1960s

Folder 1: Photographs, Gilbreth Family, ca. 1910s-1962: Numbers 371-384
Folder 2: Photographs, Gilbreth Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren, ca. 1950s-1960s: Numbers 385-421; Note: this file is restricted access, it is stored in Series 11, Box 110, please see staff for details
Folder 3: Photographs, Lillian Gilbreth with Relatives, ca. early 1900s-1962: Numbers 422-428
Folder 4: Photographs, Work Related, Time & Motion Study, ca. 1900s-1924: Numbers 483-521
Folder 5: Photographs, Work Related, Small Stereoscopic Slides, ca. 1900s-1924: Numbers 522-635
Folder 6: Photographs, Work Related, Large Stereoscopic Slides, ca. 1911-1914: Numbers 636-659
Folder 7: Photographs, Work Related, Micromotion Strips, n.d.: Numbers 660-680

Box 116: Family and Work Related, ca. 1910s-1960

Folder 1: Photograph Albums, ca. 1910s-1960: Albums 1-10

Box 117: Work Related, Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, ca. early 1900s-1960s

Folder 1: Photographs, Work Related, Gilbreth Associates, ca. 1910-1912: Numbers 681-702
Folder 2: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Maytag Company, 1959: Numbers 703-709
Folder 3: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, C.I.O.S XIII Convention, 1963: Number 710
Folder 4: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Canada, 1962-1967: Numbers 711-714
Folder 5: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, England, 1949-1962: Numbers 715-717
Folder 6: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Germany, 1957-1962: Numbers 718-728
Folder 7: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Greece, 1959: Numbers 729-732
Folder 8: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Holland, ca. 1957: Numbers 733-737
Folder 9: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Ireland, 1960: Number 738
Folder 10: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Mexico, 1961: Numbers 739-741
Folder 11: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Philippines, ca. 1953-1962: Numbers 742-793
Folder 12: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Prague, 1924: Numbers 794-811
Folder 13: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Sweden, 1962: Numbers 812-813
Folder 14: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Taiwan, n.d. and 1953: Numbers 814-815
Folder 15: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Japan, 1965: Numbers 816-832
Folder 16: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Vienna, 1960: Number 833
Folder 17: Photographs, Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, Purdue - Related, 1925-1935: Numbers 834-837

Box 118: Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, ca. 1929-1968

Folder 1: Series One Scrapbook Photographs, 1966-1968: Numbers 838-935
Folder 2: Photographs, Photographs without Lillian Gilbreth, 1966-1968: Numbers 1043-1068
Folder 3: Photographs, Lillian Gilbreth with Identified People, ca. 1957-1967: Numbers 1069-1101
Folder 4: Photographs, Lillian Gilbreth with Unidentified People, ca. 1953-1967: Numbers 1102-1182
Folder 5: Photographs, Friends and Associates, Identified, ca. 1940-1968: Numbers 1183-1216
Folder 6: Photographs, Friends and Associates, Unidentified, ca. 1956-1964: Numbers 1217-1247
Folder 7: Photographs, Friends and Associates of Lillian Gilbreth, Portraits, ca. 1929-1931: Numbers 1248-1264

Box 119: Lillian Gilbreth / Work Related, Oversized Portraits and Photographs, ca. 1920-1967

Folder 1: Numbers 1300-1312

Box 120: Lillian Gilbreth / Work Related, Handicapped Homemakers, 1960

Folder 1: Numbers 1313-1332

Box 121: Lillian Gilbreth / Work Related Miscellaneous, ca. 1950-1968

Folder 1: Photographs, Handicapped Homemakers, 1953: Numbers 1349-1350
Folder 2: Photographs, Motion Study, n.d.: Numbers 1351-1353
Folder 3: Women Marines, 1966: Numbers 1354-1369
Folder 4: Photographs, Places, n.d.: Numbers 1370-1385
Folder 5: Photographs, Awards and Displays, ca. 1950-1968: Numbers 1386-1401

Box 122: Damaged Photographs, ca. 1924-1960s

Box 123: Lillian Gilbreth / Work Related, Handicapped Homemakers, 1960

Folder 1: Numbers 1333-1348; Note: Photographs located in Gilbreth Oversized, Series 13, Box 123

Box 125: Photograph Ephemera, ca. 1920s-1971

Box 126: Negatives and Photographs, ca. 1800s-1999

Folder 1: Negatives, ca. 1878-1960s
Folder 2: Moller / Delger / Brown Family, ca. 1800s-1960s: Numbers 24-63
Folder 3: Family Photographs, Gilbreth Homes, ca. 1919-1999: Numbers 116-139
Folder 4: Frank Bunker Gilbreth Photographs, ca. 1900s-1924: Numbers 170-187
Folder 5: Lillian Moller Gilbreth, ca. 1878-1969: Numbers 245-290
Folder 6: Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, ca. 1904-1924: Numbers 291-295
Folder 7: Family photographs with Frank, ca. late 1900s-1924: Numbers 309-323
Folder 8: Family Photographs, ca. 1905-1988: Numbers 324-360
Folder 9: Friends and Associates of Lillian Gilbreth, Anne Shaw, ca. 1930s-1960s: Numbers 1265-1288

Box 127: Family and Work Related, ca. 1910s-1920s

Folder 1: Time and Motion Study, Gilbreth Children, ca. late 1910s-early 1920s: Numbers 429-432
Folder 2: Work Related, Time and Motion Study, ca. 1900s-1924: Numbers 433-482
Folder 3: Work Related, Lillian Gilbreth, ca. 1940s-1960s: Numbers 936-1042
Folder 4: Motion Study, Anne Shaw, ca. 1940s-1950s: Numbers 1289-1299
Folder 5: Friends of Ernestine Gilbreth, ca. 1919-2000: Numbers 1402-1417