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In 1952 History of the ACS, commemorating its 75th anniversary, when POLY was just one year old, the following prediction was published: "The area staked out for the operations of this Division requires much exploration. Many important industries are found within its borders. The opportunities ahead are unequaled in chemistry. Certainly the historian of the future will find it necessary to devote much space to the accomplishments of the Division".

Some 50 years later, upon the receipt of the POLY "History Update" Dr. James D. Burke, an ACS Director, wrote: "Thank you for your kind gesture in sending me the 1991-2001 History Update of the Division of Polymer Chemistry. It is well designed and a pleasure to read. It’s especially satisfying to recognize that this wonderful story happened only because literally thousands of very talented scientists chose to work together for the benefit of the Division. We have a great past. Let’s strive for an even better future!"

No comments are needed for these BEFORE and AFTER statements!

I have previously reported that in response to an invitation from the ACS, I submitted last year on behalf of POLY a two-part contribution on "Polymer Chemistry":

I have just been informed by the ACS that the edited manuscripts will be reviewed and proofread by the contributors in September and October 2001, and that the book is expected to be published in December 2001.

There are two anniversaries in 2001, which are being commemorated by the publication of appropriate historical material and by events such as special symposia and social events:

1. At the POLY Millennial 2000 in December 2000 in Hawaii, a large poster entitled "50 Years of Action - Historical Milestones" was displayed next to the registration desk. Its left-hand side highlighted the POLY Awards, POLY publications, the growth of membership, the 2000 x 2000 campaign, the POLYED activities, and the entrance of POLY into electronic age (e-mail communication, Web pages, and "Polymer Preprints" on CD). Its right-hand side had some 90 specific milestones (POLY "firsts") listed for the whole period of POLY existence, such as organizational changes, symposia, meetings, conferences, publications, and educational initiatives.

I provided the historical material, and Erica Martin and Kathy Linkous created the poster.

The poster is being revised by Erica and Bill Brittain. It was displayed at the San Diego meeting.

2. At the 221st ACS National Meeting in San Diego in April 2001, a commemorative 47-page booklet, "History Update - 1991-2001", will be distributed. It contains:

a. an update of the POLY history for the period 1991-2000 (Jesse Hwa’s excellent history published for the POLY 40th anniversary in 1991 covered already the first 40 years), organized into 10 sections:

b. five appendices with many details covering the whole 50-year period, not just the last decade, such as

A. Historical Milestones (Timeline), 1946-2001

B. Officers, 1951-2001

C. Councilors and Alternate Councilors, 1952-2001

D. Symposia at the ACS National Meetings, 1950-2001

E. Awards

I provided the historical material and Kathy Linkous added a selection of photographs, designed and formatted the booklet, and carried out the project to completion. Members of the POLY Executive Committee and some "old-timers" had reviewed the manuscript and provided most valuable comments and corrections, all of which were incorporated into the published version.

1. POLY has received an invitation from the ACS through Frank E. Walworth, Special Assistant, 125th Anniversary, Office of Secretary, to contribute an update to the 1976 ACS history, "A Century of Chemistry" (edited by Herman Skolnik), for the years 1976-2000 for a new edition of the ACS history to be published for the ACS 125th anniversary in 2001.

In response to that, following the precedent of the 1976 history, I submitted on behalf of POLY, a two-part contribution on "Polymer Chemistry":

The contribution, reviewed and approved by the POLY Executive Committee, was submitted on 20 June 2000, prior to the deadline on 30 June 2000.

2. I have been informed by Frank Walworth that the current plan is to publish the "History" in time to be available at the Fall 2001 ACS National Meeting in Chicago.

There are some doubts about this date. Most likely, it will be published in the final quarter of 2001.