Cheaper by the Dozen

Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and
Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

7/23/2001

In the first part of the 20th century America, Frank Gilbreth and his wife Lilian were pioneers in time-motion studies and efficiency studies. By the 1920's businesses in America and Europe were seeking their services to improve efficiency. They were very busy with their business.

They were also very busy with their family of six daughters and six sons. The remarkable, humorous story of their childhood is told by two of the Gilbreth children. Frank Gilbreth brought his work home. His children were raised on the word efficient. They were also raised with love and laughter. Gilbreth is a man who seems larger to life to his children and clients. Yet he is down to earth. He can laugh at himself as well as his children. Probably the one person he does not laugh at is his wife, Lily. She is the calm hand when he starts to go overboard.

If you do not know the Gilbreth children's story, or even if you do from the movie, read the book. It is wonderful listening to Anne asserting all the teen girls' independence, or to the family's reaction when they are portrayed as a silly, rushing family at mealtime in a movie short. Gilbreth makes their old, leaky catamaran a yacht. He makes family night at the movie theater an adventure.

This is a charming story. I hope my children have memories like this when they are grown.

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