|
|
|
Walter
A. Shewhart
“Both pure and applied
science have gradually pushed further and further the requirements for
accuracy and precision. However, applied science, particularly in the
mass production of interchangeable parts, is even more exacting than
pure science in certain matters of accuracy and precision.”
-Walter A. Shewhart
Our “Guru of the
Month,” Walter A. Shewhart began his life on March 18, 1891 in New
Canton, Illinois. Walter’s early years consisted of attending the
Universities of Illinois and California, where he majored in Physics
and received his doctorate.
After his
academic years, in 1918 Walter joined the Western Electric Company,
which was a hardware manufacturer for Bell Laboratories. In 1924,
Walter framed the problem of frequency failures and repairs in terms of
“assignable-cause” and “chance cause.” Mr. Shewhart introduced
the “control
chart” as a tool to distinguish the frequency of failures and repairs. In
the 1930’s Shewhart’s work led him to fundamental scientific and
philosophical issues surrounding the idea of operationalism, which led
to his review of the measurement of the speed of light.
Walter Shewhart
published the Bell System Technical Journal in 1956 after retiring from
Bell Labs. He went on to receive the Holley Medal of the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers Award and the Honorary Fellowship of
the Royal Statistical Society and American Society of Quality Award.
Walter’s other achievements include Editor of the Wiley Series in
Mathematical Statistics, Economic Control of Quality of Manufactured
Product, and Statistical Method from the Viewpoint of Quality Control.
Walter A.
Shewhart successfully combined the disciplines of statistics,
economics, and engineering to produce the control chart. The control
chart represented the initial step toward “the formulation of a
scientific basis for securing economic control.”
Walter’s
gentlemanly approach included seeking out other bright, knowledgeable
individuals, as well as having a sincere interest in the work and
concerns of others.
In appreciation
of Walter Shewhart’s work and developments, the Shewhart Medal is
awarded annually to an organization which has “demonstrated the most
outstanding technical leadership in the field of modern quality
control, especially through the development to its theory, principles,
and techniques…”
|
For pricing
information or quotes, please contact our
Client Assurance
Department toll-free at:
877-377-4243
Our Client Assurance representatives are
available between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM EST.
P.O. Box 2028
Heath, Ohio 43056-0028
FAX (740) 344-9501
Email
RCS
|
|
