Parts originally published in various articles and speeches by Jay W. Forrester, in particular Forrester (2002).
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Research Article
System dynamics—a personal view of the first fifty years†
Article first published online: 30 OCT 2007
DOI: 10.1002/sdr.382
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Issue
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System Dynamics Review
Special Issue: Exploring the Next Great Frontier: System Dynamics at 50 Guest Editor: John D. Sterman
Volume 23, Issue 2-3, pages 345–358, Summer - Autumn (Fall) 2007
Additional Information
How to Cite
Forrester, J. W. (2007), System dynamics—a personal view of the first fifty years. System Dynamics Review, 23: 345–358. doi: 10.1002/sdr.382
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 30 OCT 2007
- Article first published online: 30 OCT 2007
- Manuscript Accepted:
- Manuscript Received:
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
I present a personal recollection of the history of system dynamics and observations about its present state. The article treats the history in two parts: first, my personal background and how all the threads came together to initiate the field of system dynamics; and second, the historical development of the cornerstone projects that shaped the field. These early works include industrial dynamics, urban dynamics, world dynamics, and the national economic model. The paper continues with an assessment of the present condition of the field. A companion paper (System Dynamics—The Next Fifty Years, also in this issue of System Dynamics Review), highlights challenges for the future. Copyright © 2007 Jay W. Forrester.