What is this children's book?

[bbernardini]

It's been driving me nuts lately. The main character has a father who is obsessed with efficiency. He's always trying to figure out the quickest way to get to work, mow the lawn, clean the house, etc. This is the only thing I can remember. What is this book?!?

[TrogL]

1. chitty chitty bang bang?

it's a side issue

[bbernardini]

3. No...

That's not it.

[Solly Mack]

2. Cheaper By The Dozen had a father who liked to save time

and constantly timed his 12 children as well inventing methods for businesses to be more efficient.

[bbernardini]

4. I don't think that's it either.

Poop.

[markus]

5. He was, in fact, an "Efficiency Expert"

That sure sounds like the description.

[BrotherBuzz]

7. I agree...

Real life Efficiency expert by the name Frank Gilbreth. The book Cheaper By the Dozen was writen jointly by one of his sons and daughters (Yes, he really had twelve kids) Made a film of the book in the 1950, and now they are doing a remake staring Steve Martin.

www.jandys.addr.com/nonfic/dozen.html

[blondeatlast]

6. Do you have some idea of the pub date?

[bbernardini]

8. Not a clue

Damn.

[blondeatlast]

10. I have access to many pub databases. Give me all the info you can

and I will try to find it.

Even if it's something like the author's last name started with a "g", the word "whatever" was in the title . . .

[bbernardini]

11. I already told you everything I know.

:(

[Interrobang]

9. There was a short story to that effect by someone like Frederick Pohl...

In the end the father disappeared, having accelerated himself out of our normal time-frame. :) I don't think that's the droid you're looking for, though.