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History of the American Microchemical Society
MICROCHEMICAL
History
JOURNAL
7,
1-4
(1963)
of the American LEO
Historian
K.
Microchemical
Society
YANOWSKI
Fordham University, Kew York of the American Microckemical Received February
Society
18, 196-Y
The American Microchemical Society was first organized in 1935 in New York City as the New York-New Jersey Section of the Microchemical Society, then a national organization. The object of the society was to promote interest in the practice and teaching of microchemistry and related special methods. Persons residing or working in or near greater New York or New Jersey who were members of the Microchemical Society were eligible for membership. In 1938 the society became a private organization and now is not connected with any local or national organization. It is privately financed by annual dues of $5.00, which have proven adequate to subsidize its activities. The fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30. The membership of the society has grown to 268. On March 25, 1938, the name of the organization was changed to the Metropolitan Microchemical Society. The term Metropolitan,” however! no longer applies as the location of members has spread to California, to the southern states, and to the New England states. There are even several members now residing in foreign countries. Consequently, in February 1963 the name of the society was again changed to the American Microchemical Society. The officers of the society are the Chairman, Chairman-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and the Executive Committee, which is composed of 4 members. Persons are elected to all the offices each year, with the exception of the historian, who is elected permanently. The past Chairman automatically becomes a member of the Executive Committee. The results of the election are read at the last meeting of the year, and persons elected take office at the first meeting of the following year. The standing committees are: Program, Symposium, Membership, Eastern Analytical Symposium, Publicity, Contact Service, and Hospitality.
2
LEO
K.
YANOWSKI
There is also an Editorial Board for the organization’s official publication, the Microchemical Journal. The following Chairmen have held office since the organization of the society : Willet F. Whitmore Beverley L. Clark William F. Spikes Francis W. Power, S.J.* Alexander F. Knoll Donald Price Julius A. Kuck David B. Sabine Al Steyermark Robert A. Harte Leo K. Yanowski Freeman R. Swift Frank A. Meier A. A. Benedetti-Pichler Walter A. Hynes*
1935-36 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-4 1 1941-42 1942-43 1943-44 1944-45 194.546 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50
Bella Rosenfeld Joseph F. Alicino NS Kuettel Michael ‘Cefola James S. Wiberley Charles W. Pifer George J. Hilsdorf, S.J. Harold V. Wadlow Alfonso G. Mistretta Herbert K. Alber Grant Gustin Howard Francis Erik R. Hoffmann Ervin Stehr
1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 195556 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-6 1 1961-62 1962-63
When the society was first organized, meetings were held wherever free space was available. The society is still deeply grateful to the following institutions for granting such facilities: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Columbia University, College of the City of New York, New York University, Newark University, Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, Fordham University, and the American Museum of Natural History. From 1942 to 1962 all the meetings of the society, with the exception of the first and last, were held at the American Museum of Natural History. In 1962 the regular meeting place was changed to the Hotel Manhattan because of its more centralized location. Regular meetings are held once a month, with the Program Committee endeavoring to arrange programs covering as diverse a field as possible, so as to interest not only the present members, but also chemists desirous of information on microchemical methods applicable to their own problems. Some of the papers read before the society have discussed such topics as physiochemical micromethods, microanalysis of gases, microscopic investigations of cartridge primer materials, microtextile technology, micro* Deceased.
THE
AMERICAN
MICROCHEMICAL
SOCIETY
3
in biological methods, nonaqueous titrations, ultraviolet illumination microscopy, chromatographic adsorption, technical examination of ancient paintings, surface analysis, micromanipulators, nuclear or radiochemistry, crime detection and chemical archeology, a solid state reaction for hydroquinone, therm0 analysis in the milligram range, and micro methods in the iron and steel industry. During the year, there are usually eight or nine regular meetings. The program provides not only for guest speakers but also for contributions made by members of the society. Panel discussions, gadget meetings, and an “Author Meets the Critic” night have been held. For the past ten years or more, the first meeting of the season has been devoted to a trip to an industrial plant. Included is a tour of the plant’s facilities and a dinner which is followed by a speaker from the particular company. The last meeting is held in May at Fordham University and is known as “Ladies Night.” At this time a speaker presents some popular but not too scientific paper. The meeting is preceded by a mixer and an annual dinner to which wives and guests of the members are cordially invited. In 1945 the society initiated a series of symposia which have been held once a year. The subjects presented at the symposia are selected to introduce both microchemistry to the beginner and new tools to the specialist. Usually, portions of the symposium are devoted to panel discussions, and various equipment companies exhibit some of the latest instruments used in the field of microchemistry. Since 1959 the society has sponsored, in conjunction with the American Chemical Society and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, the Eastern Analytical Symposium and Instrument Exhibit. In 1959 thirty-six papers were presented to analysts by experts in their fields of interest. The exposition of modern laboratory equipment occupied forty-four booths. In 1962 the number of papers read increased to fifty-four and the exhibitors required ninety-seven booths. In the past two years these meetings have been very successful, having a registration of over 2,000 people. From August 13-18, 1961, the International Symposium on Microchemical Techniques was conducted by the Pennsylvania State University College of Chemistry and Physics and continuing Education. This symposium was organized by the Metropolitan Microchemical Society under the sponsorship of The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Commission on Microchemical Techniques section of Analytical Chemistry, and supported in part by The National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Public Health Service (Research Grant R. G.43220).
4
LEO
K.
YANOWSKI
This symposium was extremely successful under the Chairmanship of Dr. Al Steyermark. A total of 456 registered, among which were 55 from foreign countries. Ninety-nine papers were read at the different sessions. During the 1956-57 season, the following Charter members were made Life Honorary Members of the society: Dr. H. K. Alber, Mr. J. F. Alicino, Dr. A. A. Benedetti-Pichler, Mr. N. H. Blume, Dr. M. Cefola, Dr. A. Elek, Mr. R. A. Harte, Mr. H. W. Hermance, Dr. A. F. Knoll, Dr. J. A. Kuck, Mr. F. A. Meier, Dr. D. Price, Dr. J. R. Rachele, Dr. G. E. Royer, Mr. D. B. Sabine, Mr. W. Saschek, Mr. F. R. Swift, Mr. H. V. Wadlow, Mr. T. J. Walsh, and Dr. L. K. Yanowski. The first issue of the Society’s official publication, Microchemicul Jou~nul, appeared in 1957. The Editor-in-Chief, the late Dr. Nicholas D. Cheronis, stated in his first editorial that “the addition of the Microchemical Journal to scientific literature represents an effort on the part of the members of the Metropolitan Microchemical Society to obtain a wider distribution of the philosophy, ideas, and techniques of microchemical procedures as applied to all areas of the physical and biological sciences.” After the tragic accident that took the life of Dr. Cheronis on July 2, 1962, Dr. Al Steyermark assumed editorship of the Journal. The American Microchemical Society is thus actively engaged in spreading the knowledge of microchemistry at home and abroad. Several of its members have written authoritative books and almost all its members have contributed numerous scientific publications.
History
JOURNAL
7,
1-4
(1963)
of the American LEO
Historian
K.
Microchemical
Society
YANOWSKI
Fordham University, Kew York of the American Microckemical Received February
Society
18, 196-Y
The American Microchemical Society was first organized in 1935 in New York City as the New York-New Jersey Section of the Microchemical Society, then a national organization. The object of the society was to promote interest in the practice and teaching of microchemistry and related special methods. Persons residing or working in or near greater New York or New Jersey who were members of the Microchemical Society were eligible for membership. In 1938 the society became a private organization and now is not connected with any local or national organization. It is privately financed by annual dues of $5.00, which have proven adequate to subsidize its activities. The fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30. The membership of the society has grown to 268. On March 25, 1938, the name of the organization was changed to the Metropolitan Microchemical Society. The term Metropolitan,” however! no longer applies as the location of members has spread to California, to the southern states, and to the New England states. There are even several members now residing in foreign countries. Consequently, in February 1963 the name of the society was again changed to the American Microchemical Society. The officers of the society are the Chairman, Chairman-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and the Executive Committee, which is composed of 4 members. Persons are elected to all the offices each year, with the exception of the historian, who is elected permanently. The past Chairman automatically becomes a member of the Executive Committee. The results of the election are read at the last meeting of the year, and persons elected take office at the first meeting of the following year. The standing committees are: Program, Symposium, Membership, Eastern Analytical Symposium, Publicity, Contact Service, and Hospitality.
2
LEO
K.
YANOWSKI
There is also an Editorial Board for the organization’s official publication, the Microchemical Journal. The following Chairmen have held office since the organization of the society : Willet F. Whitmore Beverley L. Clark William F. Spikes Francis W. Power, S.J.* Alexander F. Knoll Donald Price Julius A. Kuck David B. Sabine Al Steyermark Robert A. Harte Leo K. Yanowski Freeman R. Swift Frank A. Meier A. A. Benedetti-Pichler Walter A. Hynes*
1935-36 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-4 1 1941-42 1942-43 1943-44 1944-45 194.546 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50
Bella Rosenfeld Joseph F. Alicino NS Kuettel Michael ‘Cefola James S. Wiberley Charles W. Pifer George J. Hilsdorf, S.J. Harold V. Wadlow Alfonso G. Mistretta Herbert K. Alber Grant Gustin Howard Francis Erik R. Hoffmann Ervin Stehr
1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 195556 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-6 1 1961-62 1962-63
When the society was first organized, meetings were held wherever free space was available. The society is still deeply grateful to the following institutions for granting such facilities: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Columbia University, College of the City of New York, New York University, Newark University, Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, Fordham University, and the American Museum of Natural History. From 1942 to 1962 all the meetings of the society, with the exception of the first and last, were held at the American Museum of Natural History. In 1962 the regular meeting place was changed to the Hotel Manhattan because of its more centralized location. Regular meetings are held once a month, with the Program Committee endeavoring to arrange programs covering as diverse a field as possible, so as to interest not only the present members, but also chemists desirous of information on microchemical methods applicable to their own problems. Some of the papers read before the society have discussed such topics as physiochemical micromethods, microanalysis of gases, microscopic investigations of cartridge primer materials, microtextile technology, micro* Deceased.
THE
AMERICAN
MICROCHEMICAL
SOCIETY
3
in biological methods, nonaqueous titrations, ultraviolet illumination microscopy, chromatographic adsorption, technical examination of ancient paintings, surface analysis, micromanipulators, nuclear or radiochemistry, crime detection and chemical archeology, a solid state reaction for hydroquinone, therm0 analysis in the milligram range, and micro methods in the iron and steel industry. During the year, there are usually eight or nine regular meetings. The program provides not only for guest speakers but also for contributions made by members of the society. Panel discussions, gadget meetings, and an “Author Meets the Critic” night have been held. For the past ten years or more, the first meeting of the season has been devoted to a trip to an industrial plant. Included is a tour of the plant’s facilities and a dinner which is followed by a speaker from the particular company. The last meeting is held in May at Fordham University and is known as “Ladies Night.” At this time a speaker presents some popular but not too scientific paper. The meeting is preceded by a mixer and an annual dinner to which wives and guests of the members are cordially invited. In 1945 the society initiated a series of symposia which have been held once a year. The subjects presented at the symposia are selected to introduce both microchemistry to the beginner and new tools to the specialist. Usually, portions of the symposium are devoted to panel discussions, and various equipment companies exhibit some of the latest instruments used in the field of microchemistry. Since 1959 the society has sponsored, in conjunction with the American Chemical Society and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, the Eastern Analytical Symposium and Instrument Exhibit. In 1959 thirty-six papers were presented to analysts by experts in their fields of interest. The exposition of modern laboratory equipment occupied forty-four booths. In 1962 the number of papers read increased to fifty-four and the exhibitors required ninety-seven booths. In the past two years these meetings have been very successful, having a registration of over 2,000 people. From August 13-18, 1961, the International Symposium on Microchemical Techniques was conducted by the Pennsylvania State University College of Chemistry and Physics and continuing Education. This symposium was organized by the Metropolitan Microchemical Society under the sponsorship of The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Commission on Microchemical Techniques section of Analytical Chemistry, and supported in part by The National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Public Health Service (Research Grant R. G.43220).
4
LEO
K.
YANOWSKI
This symposium was extremely successful under the Chairmanship of Dr. Al Steyermark. A total of 456 registered, among which were 55 from foreign countries. Ninety-nine papers were read at the different sessions. During the 1956-57 season, the following Charter members were made Life Honorary Members of the society: Dr. H. K. Alber, Mr. J. F. Alicino, Dr. A. A. Benedetti-Pichler, Mr. N. H. Blume, Dr. M. Cefola, Dr. A. Elek, Mr. R. A. Harte, Mr. H. W. Hermance, Dr. A. F. Knoll, Dr. J. A. Kuck, Mr. F. A. Meier, Dr. D. Price, Dr. J. R. Rachele, Dr. G. E. Royer, Mr. D. B. Sabine, Mr. W. Saschek, Mr. F. R. Swift, Mr. H. V. Wadlow, Mr. T. J. Walsh, and Dr. L. K. Yanowski. The first issue of the Society’s official publication, Microchemicul Jou~nul, appeared in 1957. The Editor-in-Chief, the late Dr. Nicholas D. Cheronis, stated in his first editorial that “the addition of the Microchemical Journal to scientific literature represents an effort on the part of the members of the Metropolitan Microchemical Society to obtain a wider distribution of the philosophy, ideas, and techniques of microchemical procedures as applied to all areas of the physical and biological sciences.” After the tragic accident that took the life of Dr. Cheronis on July 2, 1962, Dr. Al Steyermark assumed editorship of the Journal. The American Microchemical Society is thus actively engaged in spreading the knowledge of microchemistry at home and abroad. Several of its members have written authoritative books and almost all its members have contributed numerous scientific publications.