Robert R. Nathan (1908-2001) was a noted American economist who was heavily involved in US industrial mobilization during World War II. Prior to the war he had worked with the Commerce Department but was appointed chair of the War Production Board's planning committee in 1942. After the war he started a consultancy firm Robert R. Nathan Associates. In the 1950's he worked for a period as chair of Americans for Democratic Action and in this role was openly critical of Eisenhower's conservative policies. [1] [2]