PRECURSOR OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

Throughout history there have been countless contributions to the development of the
scientific and methodological basis, and to the same philosophy of Industrial Engineering.
However, it would be an extremely complex and almost impossible task, trying to relate all
the events to the same personalities or contributors.
In this space, we will mention some personalities which by their special contribution, the
validity of their approaches, their intellectual stature, vision, research and/or accurate
prediction are considered precursors of Industrial Engineering.

FREDERICK W. TAYLOR
The name Taylor is associated with Engineering Methods, and other activities. The man
generally regarded as the father of Scientific Management and Industrial Engineering is
Frederick W. Taylor (1856-1915). Taylor was an American mechanical engineer, who early
in his career in the steel industry, started researches about the best methods of working.
He was the first specialist who developed an integrated theory, about principles and the
Direction theory.
The main contributions of Taylor related to Industrial Engineering are:
Determination of scientific work standards (Study Movement, temporary times and
standardization of tools).
Differential premiums system part.
Functional Command.
The "mental revolution" which Taylor described as a precedent for the establishment of
the "Scientific Management".
Principles: Discipline, devotion to work and saving.

FRANK Y LILLIAN GILBRETH

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth's husbands are identified with the development of the study of
movement, this American couple came to the adaptation of the methods of industrial
engineering at home and similar environments, as well as the psychological aspects of
human behavior.
In the early 1900s they collaborated in developing the study of the movements as a
technical engineering and management. Frank Gilbreth was very interested, until his death
in 1924, by the relationship between the position and human effort. He and his wife
continued their study and analysis of movements in other fields and were pioneers of the
films for the study of movement of workers and tasks. Frank Gilbreth developed the study
of micro movements, work breakdown in fundamental elements called therbligs.
His contributions have been in the areas of great assistance to the disabled, concessions
fatigue studies, home organization and similar matters.
Principles: Human Factor rating.

HENRY L. GANTT

Henry Gantt was an American mechanical engineer contemporary with Frederick

Taylor. He had a profound impact on the development of the Direction philosophy.
He studied the Scientific direction. His numerous contributions, arising from years
of working with Frederick Taylor in various industries and as an industrial
consultant include the following aspects:
Working in the field of motivation and the development of plans and premiums tasks with
an incentive plan for success.
Further consideration of the workers was usually conceived by management Gantt time.
Supporting training of workers by management.
Recognition of the social responsibility of business and industry.
Performance monitoring of management, through Gantt charts and other techniques.
He studied scientific management with more humanistic vision that Taylor, who was
primarily interested in the technical and scientific features of work in the industry. One of
his main contributions to industrial engineering is known as a bar graph chart or Gantt
chart, which is a diagram in which the horizontal axis represents the time units, and the

vertical the different functions are recorded, the which are represented by horizontal bars,
indicating the different times that each application.
Principles: Humanist Vision (Shocked by its communist tendency).

HARRINGTON EMERSON

Among the main contributions of this American industrial engineer is the Emerson Plan of
premiums, an incentive plan that guarantees a daily base floor and a range of premium (or
extra payment) graded. The twelve principles of efficiency Emerson are:
1) Ideals clearly defined
2) Common Sense
3) Relevant Council
4) Discipline
5) Honesty
6) Reliable, immediate and adequate records
7) Distribution of work orders
8) Standards and Programs
9) Standard conditions
10) Standard Operations
11) Instructions written practice standards
12) Efficiency Awards
One of the main features of his 12 principles of efficiency are the term thereof.

Principles: Common Sense, Discipline and Honesty.