The semi-autobiographical novel Cheaper by the Dozen by two of the twelve Gilbreth children, Frank Jr. and Ernestine, details the life of the Gilbreth family as they navigate the difficult task of raising twelve children, keeping them fed and healthy, and eventually sending them to college.

The historical context of this book is very important to understanding it, because it shows some of the benefits the family had, along with some of the challenges that they contended with at the same time. Living in the early 1900’s, the Gilbreth parents had a few opportunities that helped with raising twelve children, not the least of which was affordable housing offered under the policies that benefited Veterans, such as Frank. In their day and age, income was typically much higher compared with the cost of living, and veterans were allowed to get housing for very affordable rates. That, coupled with the fact that both parents worked, meant that they had a lot more disposable income than people would assume in modern times. The fact that Lillian worked, as well, was extraordinary for the time. It was fairly uncommon for women to work outside the house until several decades later.

There is also a historical connection between the Gilbreths and the idea of efficiency. Both Frank and Lillian were efficiency professionals, but it was such a new field (having been crafted throughout the earliest parts of the 20th century) that the Gilbreths essentially pioneering the way. Six Sigma and other efficiency practices were still in their infancy or not yet even conceived, and yet this family was performing time studies and identifying wasted motion in their household, when that wouldn’t be common practice in the workplace for another few decades.