Ford Whitman Harris and the Economic Order Quantity Model

Abstract

Ford Whitman Harris first presented the familiar economic order quantity (EOQ) model in a paper published in 1913. Even though Harris's original paper was disseminated widely, it apparently was unnoticed for many years before its rediscovery in 1988. During this period much confusion developed over the origin of the EOQ model. This paper explores the early literature on this model and traces the evolution of the confusion. It also sketches the remarkable life of Harris, who made contributions as an engineer, inventor, author and patent attorney, even though he received no formal education beyond high school. Harris's original 1913 essay is reprinted following this paper.