MUSIC IN FACTORY

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1937, Page 9

MUSIC IN FACTORY

WHAT WOMEN THINK ABOUT Dance tunes had the best effect in stimulating the energy of the workers when experiments were made in a factory with a gramophone and loudspeakers as an antidote to boredom. The results are described by the experimenters, S. Wyatt and J. N. Langdon, in a MediCal Research Council publication, “Fatigue and Boredom in Repetitive Work,” issued to-day by the Stationery Office. Sixty-eight workers whoso ages, ranged from 14 to 35, were concerned. They were employed in making paper crackers, and the experiment lasted 24 weeks.

A higher level of output was reached when music was introduced from 10 to 11.15 a.m., the average increase over the musicless period being six percent. When music was played twice during the spell of work the increase was 2.6 per cent., and when played during alternate half-hours it was 4.4 per cent. During live subsequent weeks without music the output gradually fell to its original level. Different types of music produced good effects in the following relative order: 1, One-steps; 2, fox-trots; 3, waltzes; 4, marches; 5, light music. The “light music” consisted of such pieces as the “Indian Love Lyrics,” Schubert’s “Serenade,” dances from "Nell GWynne,” and selections from “The Mikado.”

Variations in output were attributed to the different rhythms; although lively march tunes caused a relatively low' output. A possible reason for this disparity was suggested by one worker, who said: “I like waltzes ever so much, but they make me feel sleepy and languid, and 1 cannot get on.” The quick rhythm of one-steps and marches was said to make 6 the workers feel “lively and restless.” The report adds: “On the whole the workers expressed a preference for a varied programme of dance music, and it is highly probable that a similar taste exists in most industrial workers.”

“Day-dreaming” was the subject of another experiment carried out among women factory workers. Reverie while at work is stated in the report to be one of (he most effective antidotes to boredom. It was decided to find out what the women were thinking of while at work.

A large majority mentioned evening pursuits, while a smaller number seemed to reflect on home affairs and everyday events. The remainder were concerned with such matters as clothes, marriage, school-days, books and church duties. A few speculated on what they would do if they had plenty of money. Others wondered how they could “got out of this hole.”