<p>OR began in WWII. The “operations” that we were researching was the best way to protect a convoy from attack by U-boats. We chanced upon the first “measure of effectiveness” paradox. We noted that it was most important to measure the amount of tonnage that got through, and not the number of U-boats sunk. </p>
<p>It was written up in a book by Morse and Kimball, two mathematics professors (at MIT, I believe). There was much more on naval operations research. A lot of this old history is available at the Military Operations Research Society’s website. </p>
<p>OR is fairly established, but the name has waxed and waned in popularity. I think it’s back–at least in my neighborhood of the technoverse. Systems engineering is its kissing cousin, as I noted. There are probably twice as many Systems Engineering programs.</p>