s rule. If a definite
combination of movements has been determined as economically most
suitable, this method must be applied without any exception from the
beginning of the learning. The point is to train from the start those
impulse combinations which can slowly lead to the quickest and best
work. The usual method is the opposite. Generally the beginner learns
to produce from the beginning work which is as good and correct as
possible. In order to produce such qualitatively good results at an
early stage, it is left to him to choose any groups of movements which
happen to be convenient to him. Then these become habitual, and as
soon as he tries to go on to quicker work, these chance habits hinder
him in his progress. The movements which may be best suited for fair
production by a beginner may be entirely unsuited for really quick
work, such as would be expected from an experienced man. The laborer
must replace the first habits which he has learned by a new set,
instead of starting in the first place with motions which can be
continued until the highest point of efficiency has been reached,
even if this involves rather a poor showing at the beginning. A final
maximum rapidity must be secured from the start by the choice of those
motions which have been standardized by careful experiments.

It is also psychophysically important to demand that the movements
shall not be suddenly stopped, if that can be avoided. Any
interruption of a movement presupposes a special effort of the will
which absorbs energy, and after the interruption a new start must be
made of which the same is true. On the other hand, if chains of
movements become habitual, the psychophysical effort will be reduced
to the minimum, inasmuch as each movement finds its natural end and is
not artificially interrupted by will, and at the same time each
movement itself becomes a stimulus for the next movement by its
accompanying sensations. The traditional method, for instance, demands
that a brick be lifted with one hand and a trowel with mortar by the
other hand. After that the lifting movement is interrupted, the brick
comes to rest in the hand of the mason until the mortar has been
spread on and the place prepared for the new brick. Then only begins a
new action with the brick. This method was fundamentally changed. The
laborers learned to swing the brick with one hand from the pack to
the wall and at the same time to distribute the mortar over the next
bri