America’s ‘First Lady of Engineering’
Lillian Gilbreth, a professor of management in the College of Engineering from 1935 to 1948, was Purdue’s first female professor of engineering and became known as America’s “First Lady of Engineering.” A pioneer in industrial and organizational psychology, Gilbreth made significant contributions to the field. She played a crucial role in designing the modern kitchen, introducing the "work triangle" concept for optimal efficiency. Additionally, Gilbreth invented several household conveniences, including the foot-pedal trash can, shelving inside refrigerators, and wall light switches. Her remarkable life and achievements were immortalized in the books Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes, written by two of her 11 children and adapted into movies. In 2018, Purdue established the Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellowship Program to prepare recently awarded PhD recipients for careers in engineering academia.