The Statistical Research Group, 1942–1945

Abstract

Abstract The organization, work, membership, and influence of the Statistical Research Group, an Office of Scientific Research and Development activity at Columbia University during the Second World War, is described. A detailed account is given of the origins of sequential analysis in 1943, and a brief account of the origins at Stanford University in 1942 of the intensive courses in statistical quality control that were sponsored during the Second World War by the Office of Production Research and Development. Key Words: Statistical Research GroupSequential analysisHistory of statisticsQuality control