biography
| name: |
Taylor, Frederick W(inslow)
|
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1856–1915)
|
| biography:
| Efficiency engineer, born in Germantown (now part of Philadelphia), Pennsylvania, USA. After an apprenticeship at a hydraulic works in Philadelphia (1874–8), he went to work at Midvale Steel Co, where he co-developed the Taylor–White system for heat treating chrome-tungsten tool steel. While there, Midvale introduced piece work in the factory, and Taylor became interested in the most efficient way to perform specific tasks. By closely observing the workers' procedures and measuring the output, he developed methods for maximizing each operation as well as for selecting the man best suited for each job, thereby improving both labour relations and company profits. Chief engineer (from 1884), he left Midvale in 1890, opening a consulting firm in 1893. While he is most associated with efficiency engineering of people (long known throughout the world as Taylorism), he also developed machines and processes that would help speed up work. He promoted his ideas on efficiency engineering in Principles of Scientific Management (1911) and in several other books. |
|
|
