Era One - The Pre Gurus
The era of the Pre Gurus starts with the beginnings of statistical study (approximately three hundred years ago) and runs through the early half of the 20th century. This era contains the early statisticians that developed many of the tools that we use in quality today. It would also include some of the earliest practitioners of the quality movement.
One of the most important of the early statisticians would be Gauss. Gauss gave us two of the most widely used tools of statistics. The first tool is the Central Limit Theorem, which allows us to make assertions about the population based on a sample. The second tool given by Gauss was the Normal Distribution. The Normal Distribution is based on the Central Limit Theorem and gives us the whole area of variables data analysis quality professionals use.
Another important early statistician was Student. Student gave us another important distribution. The distribution given by Student was the t distribution. This distribution allows the comparison of two means to determine statistical significance. Other distribution allow the comparison of means, but the Student t test of significance is most widely used.
Other early statisticians gave us the Poisson distribution, binomial distribution, Weibull distribution, F distribution, and the basic laws of probability. These statistical evaluations are the basic tools that quality professionals use on a daily basis. Generally, these statisticians are not given the credit deserved for the impact that was made on the quality profession.
Along with these statisticians, an economist must be recognized, Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923). Pareto, an Italian, researched the distribution of wealth. During his studies, he discovered that most of the wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few people. Thus, the Pareto principle of the "vital few and trivial many" (phrased by J.M. Juran) was developed. We now apply the Pareto principle as an important tool in the field of quality.
As the time span moves into the 20th century, the first era introduces two new concepts in the area of quality, and / or statistics. Sir Ronald Fisher invented the concept of classical experimental design. This is the method by which all variables controlling a process are varied at the same time as opposed to one at a time. This gives the ability to actively manipulate the process, while maintaining economic viability.
The other concept that was developed in the early 20th century is the concept of sampling inspection. This area was very fully developed by H.F. Dodge and H.G. Romig while working with Walter Shewhart in the Bell Labs. Inspection carried many companies through the greater part of the 20th century. Dodge and Romig developed sampling schemes that allowed inspectors to do more work with less effort, thus increasing their productivity. As the quality movement has went on its journey, inspection has been relegated to second class citizenship. However, inspection should be remembered as a respected member of the quality professional's tool box.
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