The Guttman scale analysis, devised in the 1940s as a technique to measure and analyze public opinion, is the work of Louis Guttman, sociologist and educator. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 10, 1916, to a Russian immigrant family, Guttman was the third of five children. The Guttmans moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, when Louis was still a young boy. Although chemistry and mathematics were subjects of early interest to him, his three degrees earned at the University of Minnesota--B.A. 1936, M.A. 1939, Ph.D. 1942--were all in sociology with expertise in social and psychological measurement. He had sufficient course work for a major in psychology as well.

Guttman taught at Cornell University (1941-1950), Ithaca, New York, and during World War II (1941-45), he served as an expert consultant in the Research Branch of the War Department. His work involved assessing the morale and spirit of the U.S. Army...