How was the Deming Prize Established
The late Dr. W. E. Deming (1900 - 1993), one of the foremost experts of quality control in the United States, was invited to Japan by the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) on July 15, 1950.
Upon his visit, Dr. Deming lectured at “Eight-Day Course on Quality Control” at the Auditorium of the Japan Medical Association in Kanda-Surugadai, Tokyo. This was followed by Dr. Deming’s “One-Day Course on Quality Control for Top Management,” held in Hakone. Through these seminars, Dr. Deming taught the basics of statistical quality control plainly and thoroughly to executives, managers, engineers and researchers of Japanese industry. His teachings made a deep impression on the participants’ mind and provided great impetus to quality control in Japan, which was in its infancy.
The transcript of the eight-day course, “Dr. Deming’s Lectures on Statistical Control of Quality,” was compiled from stenographic records and distributed for a charge. Dr. Deming donated his royalties to JUSE. In appreciation of Dr. Deming’s generosity, the late Mr. Kenichi Koyanagi, managing director of JUSE, proposed using it to fund a prize to commemorate Dr. Deming’s contribution and friendship in a lasting way and to promote the continued development of quality control in Japan. Upon receiving the proposal, the JUSE's board of directors unanimously made a resolution to establish the Deming Prize.
Later, the Japanese translation of Dr. Deming’s book Some Theory of Sampling was published. Dr. Deming further contributed to the fund using the royalties from his book. Since then, the Deming Prize has grown considerably, and today JUSE carries the overall administrative costs for the prize.
Dr. William Edwards Deming(1900~1993)
Dr. W. E. Deming was born in Sioux City, Iowa, United States on October 14, 1900. After graduating from University of Wyoming, Dr. Deming successively held prominent positions such as university lecturer, engineer for the United States Department of Agriculture, lecturer of the National Bureau of Standards, consultant for the Secretary of the Army, and professor of the New York University. His career continued as he actively engaged in consulting and instructing of Quality Management for the government agencies and companies.
Dr. Deming is the internationally-respected authority in the field of statistics, especially the sampling theory as well as its practice and is one of the founders of the statistical quality control in the U.S. From 1950 and onward, Dr. Deming provided considerable contribution to post-war Japan in order to develop and advance the statistical quality control in the country. For his such efforts, he was awarded the Second Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Japanese Government.
Dr. Deming passed away on December 20, 1993 at the age of 93.
Deming Medal
Cover page shows the Deming Medal with Dr. Deming’s side face image and his word “THE RIGHT QUALITY & UNIFORMITY ARE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMERCE, PROSPERITY & PEACE” engraved on it designed by late Yoji Yamawaki, former professor of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. The medal is awarded to the Deming Prize Winner.