This article is about observations of Dave Brookstein, who worked for many years in the textile industry. Another work-thropologist is quoted in the column as saying HR tries to humanize and make real all of the stuff you have to deal with but don't want to take the time to deal with it. That kind of fits, as the column points out, the theory of George Elton Mayo in the 1920s, whose studies suggested that no matter how you train employees, just offering them the training boosts productivity. National Cash Register is credited with developing the first HR department, to improve employee relations after the company defeated a union strike.