Operations Research, 2nd Edition

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Basics of Operations Research

1.1 DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH

Operations research (OR) has its beginning in World War II. The term, operations research, was coined by McClosky and Trefthen in 1940 in the UK. British scientists set up the first field installations of radars during the war and observed the air operations. Their analysis of these led to suggestions that greatly improved and increased the effectiveness of British fighters, and contributed to the success of British defence. Operations research was then extended to anti-submarine warfare and to all phases of military, naval, and air operations, both in Britain and in the United States, and was incorporated in the post-war military establishments of both the countries.

The ...