'Cheaper By The Dozen' author Frank Gilbreth Jr. was born in Plainfield. The family lived in this house, where is it? |
Frank Gilbreth Jr. and his sister Ernestine Gilbreth Carey wrote the humorous account of their large family's upbringing in Montclair, to which they appear to have moved soon after Frank Jr. was born in Plainfield in 1911. Published as a book in 1948, it was turned into a film in 1950.
Frank and Ernestine's humorous take on their upbringing in Montclair was published in 1948. |
Frank Sr. is the person who first suggested that a nurse be assigned in the operating room to act as a 'caddy' (his word) to the surgeon, handing over the sterilized instruments as needed. He died of a heart attack at the Montclair train station in 1924 at age 55.
The family vacationing on Nantucket, ca. 1922-3. |
Lillian went on to have a long and pathbreaking career of her own in both psychology and engineering, becoming the first female engineering professor at Purdue in 1935. Among other universities, she was also a visiting professor at the Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT) and Rutgers.
Lillian Gilbreth in 1921. |
Applying her analytical eye to the home, Lillian gave us the 'work triangle' (see here), which is the foundation of the modern kitchen that you and I know (and work in) today.
While it is Father's Day, which is what led me to find this home in the first place, I want to acknowledge this truly remarkable and inspiring woman. My only regret is they didn't stay in Plainfield longer.
A still from the movie, which featured Clifton Webb as Frank Gilbreth, and Myrna Loy (famed from the Thin Man series) as Lillian. |
Answer tomorrow.
- Cheaper By The Dozen: "Wikipedia" | "Internet Movie Database" | "Movie Trailer" (Video)
- Authors of the Book: "Frank Gilbreth, Jr." | "Ernestine Gilbreth Carey"
- The Parents: "Lillian Gilbreth" | "Frank Gilbreth"
- About.com: "What is the Kitchen Work Triangle?"
- Find A Grave: "Lillian Gilbreth" | "Frank Gilbreth" | "Frank Gilbreth, Jr."
-- Dan Damon [follow]
7 comments:
That's next store to your boy Cory!
Putnam Ave.
I can't even fathom a guess...Wow..what an incredible post.
711 Ravine Rd..? I only know because my wife and I were interested in buying it recently... ;-)
711 Ravine Road - but you are wrong about its occupants, although it makes for a good post.
It's on Ravine Road near Dixie Lane. My sister, Andrea, used to tutor a boy (Joey Mandel) with perceptual disabilities who lived in the house. I remember being told as a child that the house had been inhabited by the writer of "Cheaper by the Dozen." Joey's father seemed to be a very kind man. He cared for Joey up until his death. It is sad not to see Joey anymore. I hope he is OK. He was a good boy.
My family lived at 711 Ravine Rd in the 50's My mother graduated from Cornell in physics in 1934. Her father was also a Cornell graduate in engineering and a professor of engineering at the U of Illinois. My father, Herald Cady Reynolds Jr., graduated from Yale in chemistry. His father also graduated from Yale. It is good to see the old girl still standing.
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