Inspired by the military's desire to incorporate public-sector technology developments in the aftermath of WWII, it was originally a department of the Douglas Aircraft Company, but in 1948 became a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting the public welfare and security of the United States.  
The first paper it produced was entitled Preliminary Design of an Experimental World-Circling Spaceship, while other seminal work by its members includes Paul Baran's work on packet switching that laid the foundations for the internet.  Inspired by the military's desire to incorporate public-sector technology developments in the aftermath of WWII, it was originally a department of the Douglas Aircraft Company, but in 1948 became a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting the public welfare and security of the United States.  FTP, what is this California-based think-tank?
The first paper it produced was entitled Preliminary Design of an Experimental World-Circling Spaceship, while other seminal work by its members includes Paul Baran's work on packet switching that laid the foundations for the internet.  
RAND Corporation