In 1963 economist Mollie Orshansky created this "line" by multiplying the cost of an adequate diet by 3
[DOC] [TLE] The Development and History of the Poverty ... - Social Security [PAR] The poverty thresholds were developed in 1963 64 by Mollie Orshansky, ... to 
Orshansky's July 1963 article and its $3,165 "economy plan" poverty line for a .... 
the proportion of income they required to purchase an adequate diet was the 
same.