Data Resources

Data Resources
IndustryEconometric models, research, analysis
HeadquartersLexington, Massachusetts, United States
Key people
Donald Marron and Otto Eckstein

Data Resources Inc or DRI was co-founded in 1969 by Donald Marron and Otto Eckstein. Marron is best known as the former CEO of PaineWebber and founder of Lightyear Capital. Eckstein was a Harvard University economics professor, economic consultant to Lyndon Baines Johnson and member of the Council of Economic Advisors; he is best known for the development of the theory of core inflation. [1] [2]

DRI became the largest non-governmental distributor of economic data in the world.[3] The company also built the largest macroeconometric model of its era. Allen Sinai was a leading architect. Richard Hokenson did much of the maintenance work. [4]

DRI was a major customer of Burroughs Computer. During the 1970s era of rapid expansion, DRI used the Burroughs 6700 and 7700 mainframes.[5][6] DRI also developed innovative software, including the PRIMA and AID database languages; EPL Econometric Programming Language; MODSIM for solving models; and MODEL for solving econometric models in particular. Later the functionality of all these programs was merged into the EPS Econometric Programming System by the chief architect of all this software, Robert P. Lacey. Other programmers in this effort included John Ahlstrom, Greg George, and Joe Polak. [7][8]

The DRI Review was published monthly and summarized what the models said for the economic outlook. This information was presented in outlook conferences. DRI also held educational seminars.[9]

  1. ^ "Johnson Conversation with Otto Eckstein on May 04, 1964 (WH6405.02)—Presidential Recordings Program—Miller Center". Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
  2. ^ https://www.nber.org/chapters/c10018.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  3. ^ Arenson, Karen W. (23 March 1984). "Otto Ecktein, Educator Who Led in Economic Forecasting". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Richard Hokenson Home Page". Archived from the original on 2010-07-26. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  5. ^ "Burroughs B6700 - retroComputingTasmania".
  6. ^ Burroughs large systems
  7. ^ Kraemer, Kenneth L. (24 September 1987). Datawars: The Politics of Modeling in Federal Policymaking. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231519168.
  8. ^ Kenneth Kraemer, Datawars: The Politics of Modeling in Federal Policymaking. https://www.amazon.com/Datawars-Politics-Modeling-Federal-Policymaking/dp/0231062044
  9. ^ Arenson, Karen W. (23 March 1984). "Otto Ecktein, Educator Who Led in Economic Forecasting". The New York Times.