Anomalia

Blake was born in 1918 and studied psychology at Berea College, University of Virginia, where he took his M.A. in 1941, then at the University of Texas at Austin, where he took hisPh.D. in 1947. He stayed at the University of Texas as a professor until 1964, receiving an LL.D in 1992.

Jane Mouton studied pure mathematics and physics at the University of Texas andreceived an M.A. in psychology from Florida State University in 1951 and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas in 1957. Blake and Mouton developed the concept of the Managerial Gridwhile working together at the University of Texas, and their ideas were tested and developed through the implementation of an organisational development programme in the American oilcorporation Exxon.

In 1955, Blake and Mouton founded Scientific Methods Inc. to provide consultancy services based on the workplace application of ideas from behavioural science. Thecompany was formally incorporated in 1961, and grew to offer Grid-based Organisation Development and consultancy programmes in the areas of individual learning, team development, conflictresolution and strategic modelling in over 30 countries worldwide.

Blake and Mouton's collaboration continued until Jane Mouton's death in 1987. They have published numerous articlesand about 40 books describing their theories and applying them in a variety of contexts. Dr. Blake also lectured at Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge, and worked on special projects as aFulbright Scholar at the Tavistock Clinic in London. In 1997, Dr. Robert Blake and the estate of Jane S. Mouton sold Scientific Methods to a long-time Grid Associate. The company wasrenamed Grid International Inc., and still promotes Grid Organisation Development around the world. Dr. Blake remained involved with the company as an associate up until his death in 2004.