RAND

research organization

It was on May 14, 1948, that Project RAND - an outgrowth of World War II - separated from the Douglas Aircraft Company of Santa Monica, California, and became an independent, nonprofit organization. Adopting its name from a contraction of the term research and development (R And D), the newly formed entity was dedicated to furthering and promoting scientific, educational, and charitable purposes for the public welfare and security of the United States.

http://www.rand.org/