Taylor, Frederick W

Taylor, Frederick W(inslow)

(born March 20, 1856, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.—died March 21, 1915, Philadelphia) U.S. inventor and engineer. He worked at Midvale Steel Co. (1878–90), where he introduced time-and-motion study in order to systematize shop management and reduce manufacturing costs. Though his system provoked resentment and opposition from labour when carried to extremes, it had an immense impact on the development of mass production techniques and has influenced the development of virtually every modern industrial country. Taylor is regarded as the father of scientific management. See also production management; Taylorism.