Ellis A. Johnson, 1906–1973

Abstract

N OT ONLY was ELLIS JOHNSON one of the great pioneers of operations research, he also made important contributions to other fields. For example, in four fields of research and development, he made these major contributions: * By applying the technology of magnetism to problems related to the earth's magnetic field, he measured the magnetization of sedimentary rocks and observed long-term changes in their magnetic fields related to continental drift. * Reacting to the German aircraft-laid magnetic sea mines first used against British shipping in 1940, he developed US countermeasures, designed and produced better mines, and went on to help blockade Japan Aith a virtually unsweepable mix of various types of mines. * Recognizing the need for operations-research studies in all of the major defense service organizations, as Nell as in myriad other operations of our society, he organized and developed the Operations Research Office for the Army, supported the organization and operation of many professional activities (notably including those of the Operations Research Society of America), and contributed in many M ays to the education and training of many operations-research w-orkers. * Seeing the need for operations research to strengthen and diversify its outlooks and approaches, as dell as its contexts of application, he made many contributions to these ends. Our purposes are to describe briefly some of the more important contributions of this remarkable man, and to provide some glimpses of insight into the spirit with which he made them. This chronological outline shows the principal events and intervals of his life: