Education
Born in Berlin, Helmer studied mathematics and logic at the University of Berlin.
Born in Berlin, Helmer studied mathematics and logic at the University of Berlin.
He earned his doctorate there in 1934, under direction from philosopher Hans Reichenbach. That year he moved to London where he began a second doctorate study, on Russell"s paradox, under direction from Susan Stebbing at the University of London. Russell himself was one of Helmer"s examiners.
Beginning 1944, Helmer was involved in work for the National Defense Research Council under John Williams.
He would join Williams at the newly formed Research and Development Corporation in 1946. Helmer"s interests later turned towards forecasting and prediction.
In 1968, Helmer left Research and Development to co-found the Institute for the Future. In 1973 he was appointed Professor of Futuristics at the School of Business Administration at the University of Southern California.