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Ralph Mosser Barnes motion and time study films

Creation: 1949-1950
 Collection
Accession: 2022-203
Ralph Mosser Barnes Motion and Time Study Films
Ralph Mosser Barnes Motion and Time Study Films

Abstract

Ralph Mosser Barnes (1900-1984) was an American industrial engineer who was a pioneer in motion and time study applications. This collection consists of four films showing a selection of studies that were managed or designed by Barnes.

Dates

  • Creation: 1949-1950

Creator

Extent

1 Linear Foot

Physical Description

1 reel (100 ft) : si., b&w ; 16mm. 1 reel (150 ft) : si., b&w ; 16mm. 1 reel (200 ft) : si., b&w ; 16mm. 1 reel (400 ft) : si., b&w ; 16mm.

Biographical Note

Ralph Mosser Barnes (1900-1984) was an American industrial engineer who was a pioneer in motion and time study applications. Born in Clifton Mills, West Virginia, to John J. Barnes (1877-1963) and Martha Mosser (1975-1962), Barnes studied mechanical engineering at the University of West Virginia, where he received both his Bachelor of Sciences and Masters degrees. He then attended Cornell University, where he was reportedly the first person to ever receive a Ph.D. in industrial engineering.

At the beginning of his career, Barnes primarily worked in product development, lending his talents to companies such as U.S. Window Glass, Bausch & Lomb Optical, and Eastman Kodak. In 1928, he joined the University of Iowa as an Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering, and by 1938 was serving as Director of the Department of Management. During his time at Iowa, Barnes and his students conducted a variety of observational experiments analyzing the performance of industrial manufacturing employees. Called motion and time studies, these experiments measured and rated an employee's efficiency while performing a repetitive task. After the study was complete, recommendations were made to management staff on what could be improved to increase productivity, such as employee body movement or position, equipment design, or time allowances. In 1937, Barnes published the book Motion and Time Study: Design and Measurement of Work and in 1941, he was awarded the Gilbreth Prize for his contributions to the field of industrial engineering.

In 1949, Barnes moved to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he taught industrial engineering until his retirement in 1968.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of four films showing a selection of motion and time studies that were managed or designed by Ralph Mosser Barnes. Three films are specific studies that Barnes conducted in 1949 showing people performing various tasks at different speeds. The fourth film, The Ratings of Time Studies, shows the machine operator performance of three manufacturing jobs: forming rug cups, cutting cork tube, and deburring.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

There are no viewing or listening stations for analog audio, video, or film in the reading room. To access this material, please place a digitization request for the item(s).

Film material is located in remote storage. Please contact staff 48 hours in advance of research visit at askhagley@hagley.org

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Ralph Mosser Barnes motion and time study films
Author:
Ona Coughlan
Date:
2022
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400