Conceptual Origins

A legacy of 83 years of service

The conceptual origin of JDSS & Associates and what it produces has deep roots going back to the start of WWII, with President Roosevelt’s Executive Order #9182 initializing the formation of the means to rationalize the collection, analysis, and coordination of vital strategic information from various disparate sources. That led to the activation of the OWI(Office of War Information), which was soon re-designated as the OSS (Office of Strategic Services). 

Southeast Asia [cartographic material] / compiled and drawn in the Branch of Research and Analysis, OSS.

Within the Office of Strategic Services , originating out of the Office of the Coordinator of Information, was the Visual Presentation Branch, a unit responsible for creating visual aids and presentations to effectively communicate intelligence information to high-level decision-makers, essentially acting as a graphic design team focused on conveying complex strategic data in a clear and impactful manner; it essentially served as the “visual intelligence” arm of the OSS, using maps, charts, and other visual elements to present critical war-related information.

Key points about the OSS Visual Presentation Branch:

  • Function:
    Primarily focused on creating visual representations of intelligence gathered by the OSS, including enemy troop movements, terrain analysis, and potential operational targets, to aid in strategic planning. 
     
  • Impact:

    By presenting data in a visually compelling way, the branch helped decision-makers understand complex situations more readily, potentially influencing military operations and strategy. 

     
  • Relevance to today:
    The concept of a dedicated visual presentation unit within intelligence agencies is still relevant today, as effective data visualization remains crucial for communicating complex information in a clear and impactful manner. 
United States. OSS. Topographic Models Section. 1945)
The United States Intelligence Board in 1965. Standing third from left is Vice Admiral Rufus Lackland Taylor, Navy Observer. Seated second from right is Thomas L. Hughes, then INR Director.

Secretary of State George Marshall established INR in 1945 as a direct descendant of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Research and Analysis Branch, making INR the oldest civilian intelligence element in the U.S. Government. Throughout the years, INR has carried on the OSS legacy of deep expertise, independence, and speaking truth to power. We are thus the direct evolutionary result of these events.