Sudoku, Linear Optimization, and the Ten Cent Diet

In a blog post originally published on the Google Research blog, the historical problem of the "Stigler Diet" is used to illustrate the evolution and application of linear optimization techniques, highlighting Google's advancements in this field. The "Stigler Diet" originates from a 1945 essay by George Stigler, which aimed to determine the most cost-effective way to feed a soldier, leading to the development of the linear optimization field. Today, Google engineers apply similar principles in areas such as YouTube video stabilization and the Google Docs Sudoku add-on. To further democratize access to these optimization tools, Google has introduced a Linear Optimization add-on for Google Sheets, allowing users to solve linear optimization problems directly within spreadsheets. Additionally, Google has open-sourced its linear solver, Glop, as part of the or-tools suite, providing developers with an API to integrate this technology into their applications. This culminates in a playful challenge where Google Chef Anthony Marco created a dish called Foie Linéaire à la Stigler, using only the five ingredients from Stigler's original diet plan, demonstrating both the technical and creative aspects of optimization.