David Rothman (statistician)
Encyclopedia
David Rothman was an American statistician, public policy advisor, and Bowl Championship Series
computer rankings author.
) in 1951.
He continued on to University of Wisconsin–Madison
, completing a B. S. degree in mathematics in 1955 followed by a master's degree.
He then went on to Harvard Graduate School of Public Administration (later renamed John F. Kennedy School of Government
at Harvard University
), completing a M. S. degree in public administration in 1959.
for companies like: Lockheed Corporation
, Acbabian Associates, and Rocketdyne. Thru Rocketdyne
, he was one of the enormous scientific technical talent pool utilized by NASA
to achieve the Apollo program Moon landing
. Thru Acbabian Associates, he was one of the scientific technical talent pool utilized by NASA to analyze the mechanical structure used in the space shuttle reloading facility called the Vehicle Assembly Building
.
As part of his interests in United States public policy (such as voting in relation to Arrow's impossibility theorem
), he had advocated the creation of a new United States Constitution
. Under this new Constitution there would be the addition of a 7-member, 4th-branch of government. This new branch's function would have been to police, and if warranted, remove members from the other branches for cause. He authored a book about his ideas.
Although he only appeared on television once and presented once as a keynote speaker of a statistical conference in New York City, he also was the founder of a public policy think tank, FACT (Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments), thru which he will be best remembered as one of the Bowl Championship Series
computer rankings authors (1999–2002).
residence on June 16, 2004. The coroner later ruled that the cause of death was atherosclerotic heart disease.
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
computer rankings author.
Early Life and Childhood
David Rothman was one of three children born and raised in Bronx, New York to Lena (1912–2004) and Morris Rothman (1908–1993). Morris Rothman was a furrier. In his youth he scored well in a national math contest. Piano composition was his hobby.Education
Rothman graduated from Bronx Science (later called Bronx High School of ScienceBronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
) in 1951.
He continued on to University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, completing a B. S. degree in mathematics in 1955 followed by a master's degree.
He then went on to Harvard Graduate School of Public Administration (later renamed John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
), completing a M. S. degree in public administration in 1959.
Career
He spent many years working as a private-sector aerospace statisticianStatistician
A statistician is someone who works with theoretical or applied statistics. The profession exists in both the private and public sectors. The core of that work is to measure, interpret, and describe the world and human activity patterns within it...
for companies like: Lockheed Corporation
Lockheed Corporation
The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
, Acbabian Associates, and Rocketdyne. Thru Rocketdyne
Rocketdyne
Rocketdyne was a Rocket engine design and production company headquartered in Canoga Park, California, United States. The company was related to North American Aviation for most of its history. NAA merged with Rockwell International, which was then bought by Boeing in December, 1996...
, he was one of the enormous scientific technical talent pool utilized by NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
to achieve the Apollo program Moon landing
Moon landing
A moon landing is the arrival of a spacecraft on the surface of the Moon. This includes both manned and unmanned missions. The first human-made object to reach the surface of the Moon was the Soviet Union's Luna 2 mission on 13 September 1959. The United States's Apollo 11 was the first manned...
. Thru Acbabian Associates, he was one of the scientific technical talent pool utilized by NASA to analyze the mechanical structure used in the space shuttle reloading facility called the Vehicle Assembly Building
Vehicle Assembly Building
The Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center was used to assemble and house American manned launch vehicles from 1968-2011. It is the fourth largest building in the world by volume...
.
As part of his interests in United States public policy (such as voting in relation to Arrow's impossibility theorem
Arrow's impossibility theorem
In social choice theory, Arrow’s impossibility theorem, the General Possibility Theorem, or Arrow’s paradox, states that, when voters have three or more distinct alternatives , no voting system can convert the ranked preferences of individuals into a community-wide ranking while also meeting a...
), he had advocated the creation of a new United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. Under this new Constitution there would be the addition of a 7-member, 4th-branch of government. This new branch's function would have been to police, and if warranted, remove members from the other branches for cause. He authored a book about his ideas.
Although he only appeared on television once and presented once as a keynote speaker of a statistical conference in New York City, he also was the founder of a public policy think tank, FACT (Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments), thru which he will be best remembered as one of the Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
computer rankings authors (1999–2002).
Death
He was found dead in his Hawthorne, CaliforniaHawthorne, California
Hawthorne is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. The city at the 2010 census had a population of 84,293, up from 84,112 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
residence on June 16, 2004. The coroner later ruled that the cause of death was atherosclerotic heart disease.