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Time and Motion Studies
Lillian and Frank Gilbreth were obsessed with efficiency. A hundred years ago, as assembly lines were coming to American factories, they studied human motion to find what they called the "One Best Way" to achieve specific tasks.
While we still value efficiency today, we also recognize the importance of flexibility. Recently, engineer and scientist Dava Newman worked with colleagues at NASA, MIT, and industry partners to develop a new kind of spacesuit. Unlike the traditional, bulky, one-size-fits-all models, it is closely fitted. It uses stretchy polymers to permit a full range of motion and fit a wider range of users, both male and female. Newman was inspired by the Gilbreths' careful analysis of human movement. But in a sense, she achieved the opposite of what they had in mind: not just "One Best Way," but complete freedom and optimizing performance through customization. |