Walter Rautenstrauch (1880–1951) was an American mechanical and consulting engineer, and Professor at Columbia University's Department of Industrial Engineering in the 1930s.[1] He coined the term break-even point,[2] and developing the break-even chart together with Charles Edward Knoeppel.[3]
Walter Rautenstrauch
Born
1880
Died
January 3, 1951
Nationality
American
Occupation(s)
Mechanical and consulting engineer and professor
Rautenstrauch was instrumental in the creation of Columbia University's Department of Industrial Engineering, which is said to be the first such department in the United States. One of his most important students and colleagues was Seymour Melman,[4] who went on to be a professor in this department.
Rautenstrauch, together with Howard Scott, formed the Committee on Technocracy in 1932, which advocated a more rational and productive society headed by technical experts. However, Rautenstrauch and Scott soon found they held very different views. Scott advocated for complete control of society and the government by Engineers. Rautenstrauch was more moderate, wishing for Engineers to only be in charge of industrial and economic decisions and the government to maintain some level of democracy. Rautenstrauch also stressed the need for human and moral values.[5] In 1933 the Committee disbanded, largely because of different views held by the two men.[1][6]
Partially due to his involvement in Technocracy (despite his break up with the increasingly erratic Scott) and partially due to his other political views, Rautenstrauch gained animosity from more conservative staff members at Columbia up to his retirement in 1943. Despite this, he was remembered by most students as a "caring and insightful teacher".[7]
^Chris Smith (1984). Design Engineers and the Capitalist Firm University of Aston, p 40.
^William E. Akin (1977). Technocracy and the American Dream: The Technocrat Movement 1900-1941, University of California Press, pp. 90-92.
^William E. Akin (1977). Technocracy and the American Dream: The Technocrat Movement 1900-1941, University of California Press, pp. 88-93.
^Robert A. McCaughey (2014). A Lever Long Enough: A History of Columbia's School of Engineering and Applied Science Since 1864, Columbia University Press, pp. 104.
^Rautenstrauch of Columbia Dies. (January 5th, 1951)
walter, rautenstrauch, 1880, 1951, american, mechanical, consulting, engineer, professor, columbia, university, department, industrial, engineering, 1930s, coined, term, break, even, point, developing, break, even, chart, together, with, charles, edward, knoep. Walter Rautenstrauch 1880 1951 was an American mechanical and consulting engineer and Professor at Columbia University s Department of Industrial Engineering in the 1930s 1 He coined the term break even point 2 and developing the break even chart together with Charles Edward Knoeppel 3 Walter RautenstrauchBorn1880DiedJanuary 3 1951NationalityAmericanOccupation s Mechanical and consulting engineer and professorRautenstrauch was instrumental in the creation of Columbia University s Department of Industrial Engineering which is said to be the first such department in the United States One of his most important students and colleagues was Seymour Melman 4 who went on to be a professor in this department Rautenstrauch together with Howard Scott formed the Committee on Technocracy in 1932 which advocated a more rational and productive society headed by technical experts However Rautenstrauch and Scott soon found they held very different views Scott advocated for complete control of society and the government by Engineers Rautenstrauch was more moderate wishing for Engineers to only be in charge of industrial and economic decisions and the government to maintain some level of democracy Rautenstrauch also stressed the need for human and moral values 5 In 1933 the Committee disbanded largely because of different views held by the two men 1 6 Partially due to his involvement in Technocracy despite his break up with the increasingly erratic Scott and partially due to his other political views Rautenstrauch gained animosity from more conservative staff members at Columbia up to his retirement in 1943 Despite this he was remembered by most students as a caring and insightful teacher 7 Rautenstrauch remained active even after his retirement He helped raise funds for refugees during World War II He actively defended Edward Condon after the Condon was investigated by the House Un American Activities Committee Rautenstrauch also worked for the Progressive Party in the 1948 Presidential Election He contributed to scientific journals and authored books on engineering up until his death He died at the Lenox Hill Hospital on January 3 1951 He was 70 years old 8 References Edit a b Beverly H Burris 1993 Technocracy at work State University of New York Press pp 28 30 Roger A Lohmann Nancy Lohmann 2013 Social Administration p 370 Richard Mattessich 2007 Two Hundred Years of Accounting Research p 176 Chris Smith 1984 Design Engineers and the Capitalist Firm University of Aston p 40 William E Akin 1977 Technocracy and the American Dream The Technocrat Movement 1900 1941 University of California Press pp 90 92 William E Akin 1977 Technocracy and the American Dream The Technocrat Movement 1900 1941 University of California Press pp 88 93 Robert A McCaughey 2014 A Lever Long Enough A History of Columbia s School of Engineering and Applied Science Since 1864 Columbia University Press pp 104 Rautenstrauch of Columbia Dies January 5th 1951 External links EditWorks by or about Walter Rautenstrauch at Internet Archive Walter Rautenstrauch papers at columbia edu Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Walter Rautenstrauch amp oldid 1111480559, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
