How this family built life hack culture
They inspired “Cheaper by the Dozen.” But their story is far more interesting than a movie.
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This famous family was fascinating, unique, and contributed to the way we live today.
In this pilot episode of History Club, Vox’s Phil Edwards and Coleman Lowndes discuss the incredible Gilbreth story, with all its twists and turns.
The Gilbreth family became famous in the film “Cheaper By The Dozen” but they were far more interesting than the most recent incarnation. Though the 1950 movie came closer to the truth, the real Gilbreths were pioneers in home life and the business world.
Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were equal partners in their unique business of time efficiency. Frank Gilbreth brought a construction background, while Lillian was the psychological half. Together, their time and motion studies mixed analysis and psychology in a seamless fashion.
Later on, Lillian led their business alone — and her pivot to home life has a clear connection to the life hack culture we live in today.
Note: The headline for this video has been updated since publishing.
Previous headline: How this woman built life hack culture
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@haskeymorrison
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
What is "pleasemona"
@amalamariamandy2776
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Jesus Christ is God and He is coming so repent and return to JESUS before it's too late
@annadkart6437
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
This is great! Love the content. Is there a certain hashtag by which we can find these kinds of videos? Thank you
@anonymous91877
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
The 1950 movie is better and the ongoing one in 1952 (Bells on their toes) was also great
@Hollergirlohio
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
My grandma was one of 16. Middle #8. In Wisconsin. I love this kind of history. Great job
@jacoblehman8714
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Took way to long to get to the story
@projectile12
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Love how Phil has a Minecraft book in the background
@robincross4625
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
My Mother grew up with the Gilbreths in Montclair, NJ. She said they were a strange bunch. Of course she was talking about the kids her age. I believe they lived a couple of blocks away. It seems you have never seen the older film of 'Cheaper by the dozen.' The older movie covers many of the areas that you speak of.
@robertzip49
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
THRS A 1950 MOVIE ABOUT THEM. ITS A REALLY GOOD MOVIE
@kim17-18
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Great video
@Astro-ix2mh
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
I'm not putting the hashtag in my comment
@menefreghismo8507
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
This is so cool
@curtiscarpenter9881
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Show me the ten problems you can see show me then ten solutions and I'll take you seriously. My philosophy because a leader sees the way, shows the way and leads people to the way.
@m.r.9215
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
HASHTAG PLEASE MONA
@mariafernandaaristizabal1012
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
I really enjoyed it
@gtr650evo
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
and then Toyota perfected it
@mikamo
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
1:45 slight Max Headroom moment.
@kryptikcat
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Mona let Phil and Coleman keep making these.
@koolwond4264
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Wow I thought I was the only one that like studying this stuff, this gives me hope for humanity.
@marvinbirkelbach9379
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
nice
@thebigfarter
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
and so 50% of all commentary channels were created.
@esshor.
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Why does Lillian take photos always seething and glaring at the other person in it?
@jungleno.
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
They were called efficiency experts
@patrickmcdonald4539
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Please mona
@romanbruni
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
absolutely… lady gilbreth is the inventor of part of our way of life, I agree. I have a similar feeling intuition that Mélies invented the galaxy of visual storytelling that we still live in. I'd love for you guys to network melies in the same manner. cheers from Rio.
ps. please mona keep them up…!
@milan6782
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Whats this Please Mona thing?
@themartialartskids7111
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Great pilot ! Make more !
@Omar-xo6tc
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Mona: I'Mmona beat cho *ss if you don't stop!
@EA-eq8ej
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Mona make Coleman make more of these
@jrtuber5139
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
How tf did he not know cheaper by the dozen?!
@le_glubbub5388
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Huh
@patrickbanks9691
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
Very amazing Show
@CiaraLDN
August 23, 2025 at 9:37 am
I knew there was a reason the cheaper by the dozen films have always been my favourite.
Comments are closed.