Motion Study
A Method for Increasing the Efficiency of the Workman

XX INTRODUCTION The above changes, simple in themselves, resulted in an increase in output on this particular job of about four times that usually obtained before the time study was made. The incident related above is one that the writer dis- covered after he began to investigate motion study in other lines than those discussed by Mr. Gilbreth. It, too, is typical of the “accidental” method. It is sufficient to show, however, what scientific motion study could do if applied to an entire industry. The following letter from Mr. H. L. Gantt to the writer illustrates how little people, even the most expert in their line, know about the most economical way of doing work: Editor Industrial Engineering: The series of articles on “Motion Study” by Frank B. Gilbreth are particularly valuable as illustrating what a man, having an analytical mind and a quick comprehen- sion of details, can accomplish. They also illustrate the fact that in order to accomplish such results the subject must be given a great deal of study. The articles are unique in that they describe for the first time the detailed application to an art of principles which have often been described in more general terms. On the other hand, the man who becomes interested in making this kind of a study will, if he has the right kind of mind, become so fascinated by it that it is on his mind almost all the time. The subject opens up so many possibilities that those men who can appreciate it are simply carried away. While in London with the American