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.
This section contains the following objects:
Gilbreth Efficiency Study Photographs
BioSuit™, Helmet, Boots, and Gloves
Douglas Sonders for BioSuit™ photo.
Not a Moment Wasted
Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, ca. 1917
Photographic prints from negatives (reproduction)
Description, Image 1: A black and white photo of a worker on an assembly line. The worker is blurry and sits behind a gridded barrier. They have long hair pulled up in a bun and light skin. They have their sleeves rolled up as they work with their hands to assemble an object. The movement of the worker’s hands is illuminated.
Description, Image 2: A black and white photo of a person golfing inside. There is a person standing behind the golfer observing the action. The observer wears a suit and is obscured by shadow. Next to the observer is a table with equipment. The golfer is also in a shadow. The movement of the golf swing is illuminated. They stand on a black rug. Both figures are in a wooden room with a few windows.
Description, Image 3: A black and white photo of a person at a workstation. They have short, buzzed hair. They wear a collared shirt under an apron. The person is blurry in the photo. They work at a table marked with a grid. Piles of hinges and fasteners sit on the table. The person’s hand movements are illuminated.
Description, Image 4: A black and white photo of a person at a work station next to clocks. The worker is blurry and sits behind a gridded barrier. They have long hair pulled up in a bun and light skin.They have their sleeves rolled up as they work with their hands to assemble an object. Piles of buttons sit on the table. The movement of the worker’s hands is illuminated. Three clocks sit on the left side of the image. One clock has the name Gilbreth printed on its face.
Credit: Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
A New Look Spacesuit
BioSuit™ Spacesuit v5-21
Polymer, nylon, spandex, carbon;
Helmet v2
Polymer, acrylic, polycarbonate
Boots and gloves
Leather, carbon fiber, titanium
Description: A spacesuit. This spacesuit is fitted to the body. It is white with many orange lines across the body of the suit. There are black gloves. The helmet is oblong and clear.
Description: A photo of Dr. Dava Newman wearing the Biosuit. Professor Dava Newman is a light skinned woman. She has blonde hair. She sits cross legged in a circular structure. Her hands rest on her knees.
Credit: Professor Dava Newman, MIT: Inventor, Science and Engineering; Guillermo Trotti, A.I.A., Trotti and Associates, Inc.: Design; Dr. Michal Kracik: Helmet Design and Fabrication; Dainese: Suit Fabrication
Photo: Douglas Sonders