In the early 1900s, the American economy was booming and efficiency was at an all time high. This was due in part to the incredible mechanization about industry and the theory of “scientific management”. Developed by engineer Frederick “Speedy” Taylor, his theory helped to drive prosperity and the creation of mass production. His words would go on to inspire entrepreneurs such as Henry Ford, who transformed the automobile industry with the assembly line.
Originally, Taylor’s ideas were directed towards industrial production and improving the economy. However, he also had a great impact on American government. Modified techniques were applied beyond the factory to offices and servicing stations in order to maximize efficiency. In fact, Herbert Hoover was greatly influenced by Taylor. Known as an “economic mastermind”, Hoover used his administration to gather exact information and wage “war” on wasteful practices.
In the domestic sphere, Taylor’s ideas had applications to the home. Renamed the “science of household management”, it served to help women reduce the amount of time spent on housework and menial tasks. It arose partially in response to the “servant problem” and the dissatisfaction many middle class women felt. Christine Frederick, an editor of the Ladies’ Home Journal, helped to popularize these ideas. In 1912, she published an article on the “efficiency gospel”, where she uses terms such as “inventions”, “standardized operations”, and “scheduling” to convey the idea that mechanization and organization were key to efficient housekeeping. Frederick also uses personal anecdote, and pushes early feminism by saying that men are responsible for helping women with managing the household. Clearly, Taylor’s ideas were used to remedy perceived discontents all over American society. Frederick would go on to write numerous books and pamphlets on Taylorism in the household.
In education, scientific management was used to standardize school schedules and maximize use of classroom space. In order to do this, school administrations often treated students like workers. They created rigid schedules, strict tests, and focused on task delivery rather than critical thinking and true understanding. In fact, this is how class “periods” originated- they were designed to help minimize the time “wasted” on each subject and create maximum efficiency for learning. One tradition of Taylorism in education that continues is standardized testing, which forces students to only understand concepts superficially and forces teachers to design unrewarding curriculums based on these tests. It remains to be seen whether or not this is minimizing the “waste” in schools.
Taylor would not go without backlash. His “efficiency revolution” would be opposed by many labor groups, who viewed the changes as threatening to their work and wages. Many workers thought that scientific management made their work monotonous and meaningless, and subjected them to harsh working conditions. Today, there are many critics of standardized testing and the harsh rules we subjects kids to. While scientific management has transformed the American economy and made America into the industrial powerhouse it is today, it has touched every other aspect in American society in ways that may not be as positive.
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