What is the origin of the idiom "ahead of the curve" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "ahead of the curve" is rooted in mathematics and statistics, specifically the concept of a curve on a graph. In statistics, a curve on a graph represents a trend or pattern, and being "ahead of the curve" means being positioned on the graph ahead of the trend or the norm. The phrase likely emerged in the 20th century in the context of business and finance, where it was used to describe companies or investors who were able to anticipate market trends and stay ahead of their competitors. Over time, the expression has come to be used more broadly to describe anyone or anything that is innovative, forward-thinking, or ahead of the times.