the first think tank was the british royal united services institute (1831), though of course the term "think tank" is much later, post world war ii. non-government institutions in the united states started early in the 20th century. the arthur d. little consultancy, incorporated in 1909, pioneered the idea of contracted professional services. the carnegie endowment for international peace was founded in 1910. the institute for government research, which later merged into the brookings institution, was formed in 1916. other early twentieth century organizations now classified as think tanks include the hoover institution (1919), and chatham house in london (1920). the great depression and its aftermath spawned several economic policy organizations, such as the national planning association (1934) and the committee for economic development (1943).