Top 10 moments in the history of analytics

This humorous look at the history of the world shows that sometimes the ROI is never having to say you’re sorry

By Elliot Inman

5000 B.C.: Grog uses two sticks and four rocks to graph the upward trend in sales of his new invention, the wheel.

3200 B.C.: Sumerian analysts predict the world’s use of letters will be greater than Mesopotamia’s supply of clay tablets by 3000 B.C. Analysts suggest something called “papyrus” may solve the problem.

44 B.C.: Roman leader Caesar receives analysts’ predictions that March will be a “down month,” but disregards the data.

1508: Michelangelo uses an advanced abacus to estimate the amount of paint needed to cover the Sistine Chapel.

1590: The Globe Theatre of London text mines peasants’ comments after a play by a fellow named Shakespeare and decides to ask him to write more plays like the last one.

1908: Henry Ford conducts what-if analysis that clearly shows that limiting the Model-T to one color, black, is the best way to maximize profits.

1962: The Beatles’ manager uses early marketing automation software to reveal that Ringo should not sing lead on “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” John and Paul take over on the microphones.

1969: Woodstock ends in financial disaster after organizers rely on spreadsheets to estimate attendance. Hippies dance anyway.

1976: Analysts’ predictions that this will be the bicentennial of the United States are fulfilled. The world gains sudden interest in the power of predictive analytics.

1976: SAS is formed and begins to give organizations THE POWER TO KNOW^®.

Bio: Elliot Inman is an Analytical Consultant in the SAS Education Practice.