Operational Research at the Crossroads: Cecil Gordon and the Development of Post-War OR

Abstract

Cecil Gordon is not now a name to conjure with in operational research. If he is remembered, it is for his classic ‘Planned Flying, Planned Maintenance’ study during World War II. Yet in 1948 his prominence was such that the Athenaeum dinner party which led to the foundation of the OR Club (and subsequently Society) consisted of Blackett, Goodeve, Tizard-and Gordon. This paper reconstructs his life and work, focussing in particular on his attempts, in the Board of Trade and elsewhere, to establish operational research within the civilian government machine. There are lessons to be learnt from what he was trying to do (an alternative direction for OR?) and the reasons for its failure at that time.