Mathematicians saved the lives of hundreds of pilots during World War II
Abraham Wald's studies help increase the survivability of American planes when hit by bullets, saving many crews during World War II.
Abraham Wald Jewish mathematician had to leave his homeland for America when Nazi Germany invaded Europe.
Abraham Wald was born on October 31, 1902 in a family of Jewish teachers in Kolozsvar, Transylvania region, Hungary.
Despite his talent, Wald was not accepted to work at a university because of the Austrian's discrimination against Jews.
After arriving in the United States, Wald worked in the SRG team at Columbia University, where he applied his statistical skills to solving many war problems.
At that time, the US military lost many fighters and pilots due to being hit by enemy fire.
However, Wald found gaps in the data that most others ignored.
Therefore, the aircraft that the US navy can study are fighters that have safely landed on aircraft carriers or bases.
Wald figured out a way to estimate the hit positions of non-return planes, using this data to identify the weakest areas.
Wald's research convinced the US Navy.
On December 13, 1950, Wald and his wife were killed when the Air India plane carrying them crashed over the Nilgiri mountains of southern India.
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