Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists, Updated 9th Edition, by Pearson

Chapter 17

Statistical Quality Control

17.1 Introduction

The notion of using sampling and statistical analysis techniques in a production setting had its beginning in the 1920s. The objective of this highly successful concept is the systematic reduction of variability and the accompanying isolation of sources of difficulties during production. In 1924, Walter A. Shewhart of the Bell Telephone Laboratories developed the concept of a control chart. However, it was not until World War II that the use of control charts became widespread. This was due to the importance of maintaining quality in production processes during that period. In the 1950s and 1960s, the development of quality control and the general area of quality assurance grew rapidly, ...