Blackett the father of OR

Blackett, who during the second world war played a key role in initiating the application of operational research (OR) to military issues, is widely regarded as the father of OR. From these early military beginnings the subject of OR has diffused into and taken root in government departments, industrial organisations, commercial enterprises and academic establishments across the world. Blackett gave birth to a flourishing professional and academic discipline. He would be delighted at the range of application areas, perhaps disappointed at the operational rather than strategic emphasis of the subject and no doubt surprised at some of the recent directions the profession has taken. Few appreciate that OR is routinely deployed each time you book an airline seat, seek a financial loan or remove an item from a supermarket shelf. OR now makes an important contribution to society: Blackett's vision for his child has been fulfilled, at least in part.