George G. W. Dantzig

George G. W. Dantzig was an American mathematician and statistician recognized for founding the field of linear programming, which involves optimizing a goal within given constraints. His most notable contribution is the simplex algorithm, a method for solving linear programming problems efficiently. Dantzig's work has had a profound impact on various fields, including economics, operations research, and logistics, helping organizations make better decisions by maximizing resources. Additionally, he gained fame for an anecdote where he mistakenly solved two complex problems he thought were homework, which turned out to be unsolved research problems in statistics.