Early Experiments in Consumer Demand Theory: 1930-1970

This paper reconstructs the history of experimental research on riskless choices during the period 1930-70. The experiments considered here regarded the derivation of indifference curves and the evaluation of the transitivity assumption, that is, matters that in neoclassical economics traditionally pertain to consumer demand theory. The paper examines the design of the experiments at issue, investigates their backgrounds and their reception among the economics profession, and discusses their impact on the development of neoclassical consumption theory.