In 1963 economist Mollie Orshansky created this "line" by multiplying the cost of an adequate diet by 3
The 
poverty thresholds were developed in 1963-64 by Mollie Orshansky, an 
economist working ... July 1963 article and its $3,165 economy plan poverty line 
for a ... recommends by no means guarantees that diets will be adequate .