Arthur D. Little (ADL) is the world's first management consulting firm, founded in 1886 by Arthur Dehon Little, an MIT chemist renowned for his work on cellulose acetate and its applications, including artificial silk. Initially operating as a research and consulting entity focused on chemical engineering and industrial innovation, the firm pioneered the concept of contracted professional services. In 1900, Little partnered with William Walker, renaming the firm Little & Walker, though Walker left in 1905 to join MIT's faculty. The company was formally incorporated as Arthur D. Little, Inc. in 1909. Throughout the 20th century, ADL played pivotal roles in groundbreaking developments, including business strategy formulation, operations research, the invention of the word processor, the first synthetic penicillin, and key technologies like LexisNexis, SABRE airline reservation system, and NASDAQ. It also contributed to environmental innovations, such as advising Campbell's Soup on waste utilization from tomato manufacturing, and aided in organizing the Battelle Memorial Institute, a major U.S. research institution. Under leaders like Earl Place Stevenson, who succeeded Little upon his death in 1935, the firm instilled a culture of discipline and expanded its influence in technology-intensive sectors. Today, Arthur D. Little operates as a multinational management consulting partnership with approximately 40 offices worldwide, specializing in linking strategy, innovation, transformation, and operations across converging industries such as technology, energy, and healthcare. Headquartered originally in Boston, Massachusetts, the firm has evolved into a global entity serving clients on complex challenges in high-tech and regulated markets. Its legacy as an innovator continues through advisory services on sustainability, digital transformation, and industrial advancements, maintaining its reputation as a leader in management and technology consulting.