The data on this card was a mature version of the "MTM" or "Methods-Time Measurement" movement pioneered by Herold Bright Maynard, John Lenhard Schwab and Gustave James Stegemerten in the early twentieth century. These men built on the fundamental scientific management work of Frank B. Gilbreth (1868–1924). In his building contracting work he developed measurement and time-motion studies to optimize the efficiency of work movements, both to make the job faster and simultaneously require less energy from the worker, as well as to also to maximize profits for the company.
For the modern manifestation of this, see
MTM (METHODS-TIME MEASUREMENT) e.V. association, from Hamburg, Germany