Message posted online

Article by George Box on Bill Hunter

My former professors/advisors, Bill Hunter and George Box, always insist us to do our own experiments - so as not just "believing" in others' observation or data. NEVER stop experimenting ... they always said. They actally went further by quoted a few stanzas from Cole Porter's musicals in the first page of their textbook: "Statistics for the Experimenters -- An Introdouction to design, Data Analysis, and Model Building" (Box, Hunter, Hunter - 1978). This book is a "classic", a required reading here at UW. It has been printed so many times since its first publication in 1978 (currently in 29th printing).

So, here is the inspiring poem that I think should be printed and hung on the wall of everyone's room, shop, garage, lab - big and small.

Experiment!
Make it your motto day and night.
Experiment!
And it will lead you to the light.

The apple on top of the tree
Is never too high to achieve,
So take an example from Eve ...
Experiment!

Be curious,
Though interfering friends may frown.
Get furious
At each attempt to hold you down.

If this advice you only employ,
The future can offer you infinite joy
And merriment ...
Experiment!
And you'll see!

-- Cole Porter, in "Nymph Errant" (1933)