Final answer:
Frederick Winslow Taylor and Lillian Gilbreth were the two main pioneers of Scientific Management, focusing on efficiency and productivity in work processes. Taylor introduced the concept in his 1911 book, while Gilbreth expanded the study into home and office management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two main pioneers of Scientific Management were Frederick Winslow Taylor and Lillian Gilbreth. Frederick W. Taylor, an engineer, is known for his book 'The Principles of Scientific Management,' in which he laid out the principles of maximizing efficiency through careful study and organization of work processes. Lillian Gilbreth, alongside her husband Frank, conducted time and motion studies to optimize worker efficiency and is often credited with being the mother of modern management for her contributions to the field.
Taylor's method, sometimes referred to as 'stop-watch management,' focused on optimizing individual movements and tasks to increase productivity and profitability. Gilbreth's work, while also utilizing time and motion studies, extended beyond industry into areas like home and office management, emphasizing the idea of minimal waste in motion and process.
Together, these pioneers' efforts significantly contributed to the widespread adoption of Scientific Management practices during the Progressive Era, aiming to increase industrial efficiency and productivity, albeit sometimes at the cost of the workers' satisfaction and autonomy.