People Who Changed the World in Business

W. Edwards Deming

He was an American Statistician, professor, author, lecturer and consultant and he is best known for his work in Japan. He was the one to contribute to Japan’s reputation for innovative high quality products and its economic power and he is regarded as having more impact on Japanese manufacturing and business. Though he was already a Hero in Japan, he started getting recognition in the U.S. at the time of his death. In 1987 he was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President Reagan and in 1988 he received the Distinguished Career in Science award from National Academy of Sciences. Prime Minister of Japan on behalf of the Emperor Hirohito, awarded Deming with the Order of the sacred treasure, Second Class which recognizes his contributions to Japan’s industrial rebirth and its worldwide success. Deming’s Red Bead Experiment is on display outside the board room of the American Society for Quality.