1. PREFACE

In 1946, several ACS Divisions interested in the field of polymers formed a High Polymer Forum, at which 162 papers were presented in 27 sessions between 1946 and 1949. This high level of activity led to the formation in 1950 of the Division of Polymer Chemistry (initially the Division of High Polymer Chemistry), with Carl S. Marvel as chairman and Herman F. Mark as secretary-treasurer.

As was stated in its bylaws, the object of the Division was to advance knowledge and understanding of the processes of polymerization and of the chemical constitution and chemical and physical properties of the polymeric materials, and to promote basic research in these fields.

In 1974, the Division reviewed its almost 25-year history at a special symposium at the 168th ACS National Meeting in Atlantic City. It was organized by the then POLY chairman, Otto Vogl, and featured remarks and comments by Herman F. Mark, Carl S. Marvel, William J. Bailey, and Charles G. Overberger, all past POLY chairmen. In 1976, these papers were collected by Robert Ulrich and published as Volume 1 of the "Contemporary Topics in Polymer Science: Macromolecular Science - Retrospect and Prospect". Ulrich preceded the individual contributions by his short history of the Division, highlighting the growth of the Division, its publication and educational activities, its responsiveness to members' needs and to social and environmental problems, and the beginning of the POLY Division's involvement on the international scene.

In 1991, the Division celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Polymer Technology Conference in Philadelphia. For that occasion, Jesse C. H. Hwa, who has served the Division in many capacities since 1964, published an extensive POLY history covering the period 1951-1991. He divided his historical account into three periods: a) early years (1951-1965), b) transition and growth (1966-1975), and c) expansion and strengthening (1976-1990). He covered in detail the organization and business management, technical programs, educational and publication activities, awards programs, and countless notable events within and outside the American Chemical Society.

In 2001, the Division celebrates its 50th anniversary at the 221st ACS National Meeting in San Diego, CA.

In the current historical account the last ten years (1991-2001) are reviewed in some detail. As will become obvious from this account, the Division has greatly expanded it activities, created many new initiatives, all intended to serve the profession and to further the understanding and useful application of polymer science.

In this account of POLY activities, some individuals have been identified, who were particularly involved as initiators, leaders, and organizers. It is impossible, however, to properly acknowledge countless POLY members who devoted over the years unlimited amount of their energy to guide an enormous variety of projects for the Division and for the polymer community at large.

It is significant to note that from the very beginning of the POLY existence and throughout its 50-year history, prominent polymer scientists found time away from their busy professional schedules to participate in the POLY activities as officers, councilors, committee chairs, meeting and symposia organizers, or workshop leaders.

This booklet is dedicated to such giants in our profession who passed away in the last decade and also to Diane L. Morrill, who ran the POLY Business Office from June 1990 through May 1995.

In Memory of Frederick E. Bailey (1927-1991) Herman F. Mark (1895-1992) Charles G. Overberger (1920-1997) Roger S. Porter (1928-1998) Michael M. Szwarc (1909-2000) Sukant K. Tripathy (1952-2000) Charles C. Price (1913-2001)

A special tribute is paid to the memory of Diane L. Morrill (1941-1996)

The author is most grateful to Kathy J. Linkous of the POLY Business Office for taking his rough draft and converting it into a well designed and formatted publication.

To get a better perspective of the POLY history, a list of milestones (timeline) for the whole period of POLY existence (including its predecessor, the High Polymer Forum) is presented in APPENDIX A.

While it is convenient in a historical account to separate the activities, as shown in the Table of Contents, into technical, intersocietal, international, educational, and publishing, in practice there are overlaps between any of them. The symposia at the technical meetings are informative as well as educational, and provide source material for publications; the intersocietal and international activities are reflected in fact in intersocietal and international technical meetings; and industrial liaison results in direct support of educational activities.