Operational research historical perspectives

Abstract

The history of Operational Research is part of the history of great technological and scientific developments of the twentieth century and make a historical reconstruction of its emergence and evolution, objective of this paper, as one way to further understand the development of applied mathematics, the mobilization of science during the Second World War, and the social and political contexts from which it was originated. Another aspect of this history is its influence on the development of other sciences and applications, which split the post-war period and contributed to the increased rationalization of modern society. The purpose of this research is not detailing its technique, but understanding its origins and development, which success is attributed to the interdisciplinary practice. The results of the research made it possible to discuss topics such as interdisciplinarity; interactions between practical problem solving and research; appreciation of mathematization and globalization of procedures and methods; mathematical modeling and, finally, how scientific knowledge can be shaped by political and social interests.