Video Excerpt

IRV
How do you feel now about your career in optimization?

PHIL
I'm very pleased to have been there, to have shared in that excitement. The idea that the theory of games might spread over the world and solve all our economic and social problems, that was terrific. It was inspiring.

When I showed up in the summer of 1951 at that job at the Pentagon, the first thing I did was briefly interview other people in Project Scoop. I went into the office of one economist, introduced myself and asked if I could sit down and talk to him. He said, "Look, I'm making a detailed model of the American economy. So you're going to have to excuse me because I'm terribly busy."

We thought it could be done. We had that feeling. It was very exciting. The theory of games, linear programming, and computers all coming on line at the same time was a strong motivation. And it was a lot of fun.

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