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Activity Number: 281
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
Abstract - #304233
Title: The Impact of Henry Wallace on Statistics at Iowa State University
Author(s): Laura A. Hildreth*+
Companies: Iowa State University
Address: Snedecor Hall, Ames, IA, 50011,
Keywords: History of Statistics ; Henry Wallace ; Iowa State University
Abstract:

During the winter of 1924 Henry Wallace presented ten Saturday afternoon lectures at Iowa State College (now University-ISU), which had a lasting impact on statistics at ISU. Drawing on archival information, this poster examines the impact of Wallace on ISU statistics. ISU communications reveal that these lectures increased demand for statistical help and the awareness of the applications of statistical concepts to research. This interest, and encouragement from Wallace, led to the formation of the first statistical laboratory in the US in 1933. Correspondence of TA Bancroft, George Snedecor, and Wallace indicate that these lectures also stimulated Snedecor's interest in statistics leading to the bulletin Correlation and Machine Calculations with Wallace as senior author. This bulletin, and several other publications by Snedecor, are considered seminal works in the field statistics.

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