ACS History - American Chemical Society

<!DOCTYPE html > <html lang="en" class="v1"> <head> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"/> <meta charset="utf-8"/> <title>ACS History - American Chemical Society</title> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"/> <meta name="description" content="Read about the history of the American Chemical Society from its inception in 1876 through the 20th and into the 21st century."/> <meta name="keywords"/> <meta name="author" content=""/> <meta name="content_id" content="a90be60c-a766-457a-91f2-8dab25201de5"/> <meta name="audience" content="All"/> <meta name="eventImage"/> <meta name="eventStart"/> <meta name="eventTitle" content="ACS History"/> <meta name="eventLabel"/> <meta name="media"/> <meta name="tags"/>  <meta property="og:title" content="ACS History - American Chemical Society"/> <meta property="og:type" content="website"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.acs.org/about/history.html"/> <meta property="og:description" content="American Chemical Society: Chemistry for Life."/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="American Chemical Society"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://assetscloud.acs.org/acs-bootstrap/v2.0/images/acs-logo-facebook.png"/>  <meta name="twitter:site" content="@AmerChemSociety"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="ACS History - American Chemical Society"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="American Chemical Society: Chemistry for Life."/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://assetscloud.acs.org/acs-bootstrap/v2.0/images/acs-logo-facebook.png"/> <meta http-equiv="last-modified" content="10-30-2024"/> <meta http-equiv="modifiedDate" content="2024-10-30"/> <script defer="defer" type="text/javascript" src="/.rum/@adobe/helix-rum-js@%5E2/dist/rum-standalone.js"></script> <link rel="preload" as="image" type="image/svg+xml" href="/etc.clientlibs/acs-cdn/aem6/cdn/static/resources/images/acs-logo.svg"/> <link rel="preload" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin="crossorigin" href="https://assetscloud.acs.org/v3.0/acs-bootstrap/fonts/open-sans/opensans-variablefont.woff2"/> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://assetscloud.acs.org/v2.0/acs-bootstrap/images/favicon.ico"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://assetscloud.acs.org/v3.0/acs-bootstrap/css/acs-bootstrap.css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/etc.clientlibs/acs-cdn/aem6/cdn/components.lc-88ad6a283da20854fc79aadbbc208783-lc.min.css" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/etc.clientlibs/acs-cdn/aem6/cdn/refurb.lc-d77bcb925def5764325ebdabe4a710bc-lc.min.css" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="print" href="/etc.clientlibs/acs-cdn/aem6/cdn/static/resources/css/print.css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/content/dam/acsorg/about/aboutacs/css/main.css" media="all"/> <script data-testid="script-acs-setup" type="text/javascript"> (function () { // setup the ACS name space window.acs = { isRedesign : false, assetDomain : 'assetscloud.acs.org', assetUrl : 'https://assetscloud.acs.org/v2.0/acs-bootstrap/', jsBaseUrl : 'https://assetscloud.acs.org/v2.0/acs-bootstrap/js/', search : { configs : { sayt : { responderUrl : 'https://search.acs.org/content/search/acs/en/search.sayt.json', maxGSAResults: 5, maxWsoResults: 5, saytOrder: 1 } } }, foresee : { configs: { files : 'https://assetscloud.acs.org/v2.0/aem/js/vendor/foresee/', replay_id : 'production' } }, page : { path : '/content/acs/en/about/history', protected : false, package : '', whitelist : [] }, sso: { statusUrl: 'https://sso.acs.org/idp/status', loginUrl: 'https://www.acs.org/bin/acs/sso/login', logoutUrl: 'https://sso.acs.org/idp/logout', localLogout: 'https://www.acs.org/bin/acs/sso/session?action=logout', globalLogoutUrl: 'https://sso.acs.org/idp/glogout?appid=ACSWWW', acctManagementUrl: 'https://myaccount.acs.org/myaccount/HomePage.html', omrUrl: 'https://www.renew.acs.org', omaUrl: 'https://join.acs.org/eweb/ACSOMATemplate.aspx?site=ACS_OMA&WebCode=CreateAccount', acsNetworkUrl: '//communities.acs.org/', acsNetworkOptInUrl: 'https://acsnwoptin.acs.org/acsnwoptin/optin', acsDonateUrl: 'https://www.acs.org/donate.html', acsDonateLandingUrl: 'https://www.acs.org/donate.html', changeContact: 'https://www.acs.org/help/change-your-contact-information.html', emailSubscription: 'https://myaccount.acs.org/myaccount/EmailPreferences.html', techDivision: 'https://myaccount.acs.org/myaccount/TechDivision.html', acsMembershipUrl: 'https://www.acs.org/membership.html', acsMembershipBenefitsUrl: 'https://www.acs.org/membership.html', acsStoreUrl: 'https://www.store.acs.org', acsVolunteerUrl: 'https://www.acs.org/volunteer.html', appid: 'ACSWWW' } }; })(); </script> </head> <body class="transition " data-ishtl="true"> <div data-testid="layout-banner" class="banner acsBanner parbase"> <div data-testid='acsbanner-component'>  <a href="#maincontent" aria-current="page" class="skipNavigation search-ignore">Skip to Main Content</a> <nav id="hat-menu" class="hat search-ignore" aria-label="Global Site Menu" role="navigation" data-ishtl="true"> <ul class="pubs hat__list" role="menu"> <li class="pubs__item" role="none"><a href="/" class="pubs__link active" role="menuitem">ACS</a></li> <li class="pubs__item" role="none"><a href="https://pubs.acs.org/" class="pubs__link" role="menuitem">ACS Publications</a></li> <li class="pubs__item" role="none"><a href="https://cen.acs.org/" class="pubs__link" role="menuitem">C&EN</a></li> <li class="pubs__item" role="none"><a href="https://www.cas.org/" class="pubs__link" role="menuitem">CAS</a></li> </ul> <a class="hat__menu-back">< Back</a> <button class="hat__search-button" aria-label="Search"></button> <div id="member-menu" class="members loading-button" role="menu" aria-label="Member Menu"></div> <button class="hat__menu-button" aria-label="Main Menu"></button> </nav> </div> </div> <div data-testid="layout-header" class="header acsHeader parbase"><div data-ishtl="true" class="menu search-ignore" role="navigation" data-testid='acsheader-component'> <a href="/" class="menu__logo"><img alt="American Chemical Society, Chemistry for Life ®" src="/etc.clientlibs/acs-cdn/aem6/cdn/static/resources/images/acs-logo.svg" height="60" width="186"/></a> <nav id="main-menu" class="menu__nav" aria-label="Main Menu"> <ul class="menu__list js--menu" role="menu"> <li class="menu__item js--menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/meetings.html" id="menu-item-0" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="menu-sub-0" aria-expanded="false">Meetings & Events</a> <div id="menu-sub-0" class="menu__sub js--menu__sub" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-hidden="true" aria-labelledby="menu-item-0"> <div class="menu-sub__intro"> <h4 class="menu-sub__header"><a href="/meetings.html" class="menu-sub-header__link">Meetings & Events</a></h4> <p class="menu-sub__description">Network with colleagues and access the latest research in your field</p> </div> <div class="menu-sub__toc"> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/meetings/acs-meetings.html" class="menu-sub__link">ACS Meetings & Expositions</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/events/regional.html" class="menu-sub__link">Regional Meetings</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/events/greenchemistryconferences.html" class="menu-sub__link">Green Chemistry Conferences</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/events.html" class="menu-sub__link">Events Calendar</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/meetings/acs-meetings/about/future-meetings.html" class="menu-sub__link">Future ACS Meetings</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/events/programming-resources.html" class="menu-sub__link">Submit an Abstract</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/careers/leadership.html" class="menu-sub__link">Leadership Development</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="https://institute.acs.org/" class="menu-sub__link">ACS Institute</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/acs-webinars.html" class="menu-sub__link">ACS Webinars</a></li> </ul> </div> <div> <a href="/events.html" class="menu-sub__view-all">View all Meetings & Events</a> </div> <div class="menu-sub__promo"> <div class="reference parbase"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="textimage parbase"><div data-testid='textimage-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div id="_slash_content_slash_acs_slash_en_slash_about_slash_history" class="clearfix clean-float"> <div class="image_left image-div" style="width: 944px;"> <a href="/meetings/acs-meetings/spring.html"> <div class="image" id="cq-textimage-jsp-/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage"> <img class="cq-dd-image" width="944" loading="lazy" srcset="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage/image.scale.small.1024.jpg/1726589124999.jpg 472w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage/image.scale.medium.1399.jpg/1726589124999.jpg 629w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage/image.scale.large.1600.jpg/1726589124999.jpg 944w" sizes="(min-width: 1344px) 944px, (min-width: 768px) 629px, (max-width: 767px) 472px" src="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/_jcr_content/articleContent/textimage/image.scale.medium.1399.jpg/1726589124999.jpg" alt="ACS Fall 2024, Denver, Colorado, August 17-22, 2024"/> </div> </a> <div class="image-info"> </div> </div> <div class="text cq-dd-image clear"><p><b><a href="/meetings/acs-meetings/spring.html">ACS Spring 2025</a><br /> </b><small>San Diego, CA & Virtual</small><br /> <small>March 23-27, 2025</small><br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item js--menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/careers.html" id="menu-item-1" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="menu-sub-1" aria-expanded="false">Careers</a> <div id="menu-sub-1" class="menu__sub js--menu__sub" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-hidden="true" aria-labelledby="menu-item-1"> <div class="menu-sub__intro"> <h4 class="menu-sub__header"><a href="/careers.html" class="menu-sub-header__link">Careers</a></h4> <p class="menu-sub__description">Launch and grow your career with career services and resources</p> </div> <div class="menu-sub__toc"> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/careers/developing-growing-in-your-career.html" class="menu-sub__link">Develop and grow in your career</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/careers/finding-landing-a-job.html" class="menu-sub__link">Find and land a job</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/careers/exploring-career-options.html" class="menu-sub__link">Explore career options</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/careers/finding-networking-opportunities.html" class="menu-sub__link">Find networking opportunities</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/careers/chemical-sciences.html" class="menu-sub__link">Careers & the Chemical Sciences</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/careers/personal-career-consulting.html" class="menu-sub__link">Virtual Career Services</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="https://institute.acs.org/" class="menu-sub__link">ACS Institute</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/get-experience.html" class="menu-sub__link">Get Experience</a></li> </ul> </div> <div> <a href="/careers.html" class="menu-sub__view-all">View all Careers</a> </div> <div class="menu-sub__promo"> <div class="reference parbase"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="textimage parbase"><div data-testid='textimage-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div id="_slash_content_slash_acs_slash_en_slash_about_slash_history" class="clearfix clean-float"> <div class="image_left image-div" style="width: 260px;"> <a href="/careers.html"> <div class="image" id="cq-textimage-jsp-/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy"> <img class="cq-dd-image" width="260" loading="lazy" srcset="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy/image.scale.small.1024.jpg/1708704680529.jpg 130w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy/image.scale.medium.1399.jpg/1708704680529.jpg 173w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy/image.scale.large.1600.jpg/1708704680529.jpg 260w" sizes="(min-width: 1344px) 260px, (min-width: 768px) 173px, (max-width: 767px) 130px" src="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/_jcr_content/articleContent/textimage_copy/image.scale.medium.1399.jpg/1708704680529.jpg" alt="Explore Career Options"/> </div> </a> <div class="image-info"> </div> </div> <div class="text cq-dd-image clear"><p><b><a href="/careers.html">Explore Career Options</a></b><br /> <small>Let ACS help you navigate your career journey with tools, personal coaching and networking.</small></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item js--menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/education.html" id="menu-item-2" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="menu-sub-2" aria-expanded="false">Students & Educators</a> <div id="menu-sub-2" class="menu__sub js--menu__sub" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-hidden="true" aria-labelledby="menu-item-2"> <div class="menu-sub__intro"> <h4 class="menu-sub__header"><a href="/education.html" class="menu-sub-header__link">Students & Educators</a></h4> <p class="menu-sub__description">Promoting excellence in science education and outreach</p> </div> <div class="menu-sub__toc"> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/resources.html" class="menu-sub__link">Educational Resources</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/students.html" class="menu-sub__link">For Students</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/educators.html" class="menu-sub__link">For Educators</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/whatischemistry.html" class="menu-sub__link">Explore Chemistry</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/policies.html" class="menu-sub__link">Standards & Guidelines</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/outreach.html" class="menu-sub__link">Science Outreach</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/books-and-magazines.html" class="menu-sub__link">Books & Magazines</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="https://teachchemistry.org/" class="menu-sub__link">American Association of Chemistry Teachers</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/middleschoolchemistry.html" class="menu-sub__link">Middle School Chemistry</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/graduate.html" class="menu-sub__link">Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Scholars</a></li> </ul> </div> <div> <a href="/education.html" class="menu-sub__view-all">View all Students & Educators</a> </div> <div class="menu-sub__promo"> <div class="reference parbase"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="textimage parbase"><div data-testid='textimage-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div id="_slash_content_slash_acs_slash_en_slash_about_slash_history" class="clearfix clean-float"> <div class="image_left image-div" style="width: 237px;"> <a href="/education/educators/acs-hach-programs.html"> <div class="image" id="cq-textimage-jsp-/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__511627432"> <img class="cq-dd-image" width="237" loading="lazy" srcset="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__511627432/image.img.png/1708704842592.png 119w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__511627432/image.img.png/1708704842592.png 158w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__511627432/image.img.png/1708704842592.png 237w" sizes="(min-width: 1344px) 237px, (min-width: 768px) 158px, (max-width: 767px) 119px" src="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/_jcr_content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__511627432/image.img.png/1708704842592.png" alt="ACS-Hach Programs"/> </div> </a> <div class="image-info"> </div> </div> <div class="text cq-dd-image clear"><p><b><a href="/education/educators/acs-hach-programs.html">ACS-Hach Programs</a></b><br /> <small>Learn about financial support for future and current high school chemistry teachers.</small></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item js--menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/membership-and-networks.html" id="menu-item-3" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="menu-sub-3" aria-expanded="false">Communities</a> <div id="menu-sub-3" class="menu__sub js--menu__sub" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-hidden="true" aria-labelledby="menu-item-3"> <div class="menu-sub__intro"> <h4 class="menu-sub__header"><a href="/membership-and-networks.html" class="menu-sub-header__link">Communities</a></h4> <p class="menu-sub__description">Find a chemistry community of interest and connect on a local and global level.</p> </div> <div class="menu-sub__toc"> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/technical-divisions.html" class="menu-sub__link">ACS Divisions</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/local-sections.html" class="menu-sub__link">Local Sections</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/industry.html" class="menu-sub__link">Industry Resources</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/global/chapters.html" class="menu-sub__link">International Chapters</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/global.html" class="menu-sub__link">International Resources</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/greenchemistry/industry-roundtables.html" class="menu-sub__link">Green Chemistry Roundtables</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/membership-and-networks/senior-chemists.html" class="menu-sub__link">Senior Chemists</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/students/college/studentaffiliates.html" class="menu-sub__link">Student Chapters</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/students/highschool/chemistryclubs.html" class="menu-sub__link">High School Club</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="https://acswcc.org/" class="menu-sub__link">Women Chemists</a></li> </ul> </div> <div> <a href="/membership-and-networks.html" class="menu-sub__view-all">View all Communities</a> </div> <div class="menu-sub__promo"> <div class="reference parbase"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="textimage parbase"><div data-testid='textimage-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div id="_slash_content_slash_acs_slash_en_slash_about_slash_history" class="clearfix clean-float"> <div class="image_left image-div" style="width: 236px;"> <a href="/technical-divisions.html"> <div class="image" id="cq-textimage-jsp-/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_1248650693"> <img class="cq-dd-image" width="236" loading="lazy" srcset="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_1248650693/image.scale.small.1024.jpg/1722966059015.jpg 118w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_1248650693/image.scale.medium.1399.jpg/1722966059015.jpg 157w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_1248650693/image.scale.large.1600.jpg/1722966059015.jpg 236w" sizes="(min-width: 1344px) 236px, (min-width: 768px) 157px, (max-width: 767px) 118px" src="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/_jcr_content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_1248650693/image.scale.medium.1399.jpg/1722966059015.jpg" aria-hidden="true" alt=" "/> </div> </a> <div class="image-info"> </div> </div> <div class="text cq-dd-image clear"><p><b><a href="/technical-divisions.html">ACS聽Divisions</a></b><br /> <small>Collaborate with scientists in your field of chemistry and stay current in your area of specialization.</small></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item js--menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/pressroom.html" id="menu-item-4" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="menu-sub-4" aria-expanded="false">Discover Chemistry</a> <div id="menu-sub-4" class="menu__sub js--menu__sub" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-hidden="true" aria-labelledby="menu-item-4"> <div class="menu-sub__intro"> <h4 class="menu-sub__header"><a href="/pressroom.html" class="menu-sub-header__link">Discover Chemistry</a></h4> <p class="menu-sub__description">Explore the interesting world of science with articles, videos and more.</p> </div> <div class="menu-sub__toc"> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/pressroom/presspacs.html" class="menu-sub__link">Science Articles</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/acs-webinars.html" class="menu-sub__link">ACS Webinars</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/greenchemistry.html" class="menu-sub__link">Green Chemistry</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/chemical-safety.html" class="menu-sub__link">Safety</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/pressroom/tiny-matters.html" class="menu-sub__link">Tiny Matters Podcast</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/pressroom/newsreleases.html" class="menu-sub__link">News Releases</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/pressroom/reactions.html" class="menu-sub__link">Reactions Videos</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/education/whatischemistry/landmarks.html" class="menu-sub__link">Landmarks in Chemical History</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/pressroom/reactions/infographics.html" class="menu-sub__link">Infographics</a></li> </ul> </div> <div> <a href="/pressroom.html" class="menu-sub__view-all">View all Discover Chemistry</a> </div> <div class="menu-sub__promo"> <div class="reference parbase"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="textimage parbase"><div data-testid='textimage-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div id="_slash_content_slash_acs_slash_en_slash_about_slash_history" class="clearfix clean-float"> <div class="image_left image-div" style="width: 236px;"> <a href="/pressroom/reactions.html"> <div class="image" id="cq-textimage-jsp-/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_788906651"> <img class="cq-dd-image" width="236" loading="lazy" srcset="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_788906651/image.img.png/1708704769876.png 118w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_788906651/image.img.png/1708704769876.png 157w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_788906651/image.img.png/1708704769876.png 236w" sizes="(min-width: 1344px) 236px, (min-width: 768px) 157px, (max-width: 767px) 118px" src="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/_jcr_content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy_788906651/image.img.png/1708704769876.png" alt="Chemistry Science Videos &amp; Infographics"/> </div> </a> <div class="image-info"> </div> </div> <div class="text cq-dd-image clear"><p><b><a href="/pressroom/reactions.html">Reactions: Chemistry Science Videos & Infographics</a></b><br /> <small>Uncover the Chemistry in Everyday Life</small></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item js--menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/funding.html" id="menu-item-5" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="menu-sub-5" aria-expanded="false">Funding & Awards</a> <div id="menu-sub-5" class="menu__sub js--menu__sub" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-hidden="true" aria-labelledby="menu-item-5"> <div class="menu-sub__intro"> <h4 class="menu-sub__header"><a href="/funding.html" class="menu-sub-header__link">Funding & Awards</a></h4> <p class="menu-sub__description">Celebrating and advancing your work with awards, grants, fellowships & scholarships.</p> </div> <div class="menu-sub__toc"> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/funding/awards.html" class="menu-sub__link">Awards</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/funding/grants.html" class="menu-sub__link">Grants</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/funding/scholarships-fellowships.html" class="menu-sub__link">Scholarships & Fellowships</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/funding/awards/national.html" class="menu-sub__link">National Awards</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/funding/grants/petroleum-research-fund.html" class="menu-sub__link">Petroleum Research Fund</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/funding/industry.html" class="menu-sub__link">Industry Awards</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu-sub__list js--menu-sub__list"> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/funding/green-chemistry.html" class="menu-sub__link">Green Chemistry</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/funding/local-sections.html" class="menu-sub__link">Local Sections</a></li> <li class="menu-sub__item"><a href="/funding/technical-divisions.html" class="menu-sub__link">ACS Divisions</a></li> </ul> </div> <div> <a href="/funding.html" class="menu-sub__view-all">View all Funding & Awards</a> </div> <div class="menu-sub__promo"> <div class="reference parbase"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="textimage parbase"><div data-testid='textimage-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div id="_slash_content_slash_acs_slash_en_slash_about_slash_history" class="clearfix clean-float"> <div class="image_left image-div" style="width: 237px;"> <a href="/funding/awards/chemluminary.html"> <div class="image" id="cq-textimage-jsp-/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__1778912246"> <img class="cq-dd-image" width="237" loading="lazy" srcset="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__1778912246/image.scale.small.1024.jpg/1708704811875.jpg 119w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__1778912246/image.scale.medium.1399.jpg/1708704811875.jpg 158w, /content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/jcr:content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__1778912246/image.scale.large.1600.jpg/1708704811875.jpg 237w" sizes="(min-width: 1344px) 237px, (min-width: 768px) 158px, (max-width: 767px) 119px" src="/content/acs/en/features/megamenu-promo/_jcr_content/articleContent/textimage_copy_copy__1778912246/image.scale.medium.1399.jpg/1708704811875.jpg" alt="ACS-Hach Programs"/> </div> </a> <div class="image-info"> </div> </div> <div class="text cq-dd-image clear"><p><b><a href="/funding/awards/chemluminary.html">ChemLuminary Awards</a></b><br /> <small>Recognizing ACS local sections, divisions and other volunteers for their work in promoting chemistry.</small></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item menu__no-sub js--menu__item" role="none"><a href="/about.html" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">About ACS</a></li> <li class="menu__item menu__no-sub js--menu__item" role="none"><a href="/membership.html" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">Membership</a></li> <li class="menu__item menu__no-sub js--menu__item" role="none"><a href="/greenchemistry.html" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">greenchemistry</a></li> <li class="menu__item menu__no-sub js--menu__item" role="none"><a href="/donate.html" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">Donate</a></li> <li class="menu__item menu__no-sub js--menu__item" role="none"><a href="/volunteer.html" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">Volunteer</a></li> </ul> </nav> <a href="https://www.acs.org/membership.html" class="menu__join">Membership</a> <div id="search"> <div class="search acsSearch parbase"> <form action="https://search.acs.org" data-testid='acssearch-component' method="get" role="search" class="search-form"> <button class="search-form__close" type="reset" aria-label="Close Search"></button> <input type="text" name="q" id="searchsite" class="search-form__input" title="Enter keywords to search" placeholder="Search" aria-label="Enter keywords to search" aria-labelledby="search-button"/> <button id="search-button" class="search-form__button" role="button" aria-label="Submit Search"></button> </form> </div> </div> </div>  </div> <div data-testid="layout-globalbanner"> </div>  <div data-ishtl="true" id="bd" role="main" data-testid="layout-maincontent"> <div class="container"> <div class="row balanced"> <div class="col-md-9 transition-body"> <div class="acsBreadcrumbbreadcrumbNav parbase">  <div class="container" data-testid='breadcrumbnav-component'> <div class="breadcrumb search-ignore"> <ul arial-label="Breadcrumb"> <li class="hiddenButRead first"><strong>You are here:</strong></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item-2 first"> <a href="/"> American Chemical Society </a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-item-3"> <a href="/about.html"> About ACS </a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-item-4 currentCrumb"> History </li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> <div class="row balanced borders"> <div class="col-md-8"> <a name="maincontent" id="maincontent"></a> <div class="articleTitle title"><div data-testid='title-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <h1>ACS History</h1> </div></div> <div class="mainContent parsys"> <div class="text parbase"> <div class="container"> <h2><h2>The First 100 Years<br> </h2> </h2> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"><div data-testid='text-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div> <p>Thirty-five chemists met at the College of Pharmacy of the City of New York on April 6, 1876, to found the American Chemical Society. Seven months later, the first president of the newly formed society, John William Draper, delivered his inaugural address at Chickering Hall in New York.</p> </div> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"><div data-testid='text-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div> <p>From its inception, the ACS was committed to sharing its professional work with a public audience. ACS began publishing its flagship journal, the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), in April, 1879. Abstracts, which had appeared in JACS since 1897, were given their own publication, Chemical Abstracts in January 1907. </p> </div> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"><div data-testid='text-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div> <p>By 1930, ACS had 18,206 members, 83 local sections and 17 disciplinary divisions. On August 25, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Public Act No. 358, incorporating the society under federal charter. ACS celebrated its centennial year in 1976, at two national meetings with over 10,000 attendees at each.</p> </div> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"> <div class="container"> <h2><h2>The Presidency</h2> </h2> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"><div data-testid='text-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div> <p>The Society鈥檚 second century was off to a great start with Nobel Laureate Glenn T. Seaborg serving in 1976; Henry A. Hill, the first African-American president serving in 1977; and Anna J. Harrison, the first woman president, serving in 1978. Each ACS President develops his or her own goals with corresponding initiatives and events while serving as the Society鈥檚 primary spokesperson and representative.</p> </div> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"> <div class="container"> <h2><h2>Grants</h2> </h2> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"><div data-testid='text-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div> <p>The Petroleum Research Fund was originally established as a Trust by seven major oil companies in 1944. The American Chemical Society, to whom the assets of the Fund were transferred in 2000, administers grants made to nonprofit institutions in the United States and other countries in response to proposals. Since the first ACS PRF grants were approved in 1954, several grant programs have evolved to serve segments of the scientific community. ACS PRF funding commitments in 2007 totaled $25.2 million.</p> </div> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"> <div class="container"> <h2><h2>National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program</h2> </h2> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"><div data-testid='text-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div> <p>In 1992, the <a href="/education/whatischemistry/landmarks.html">National Historic Chemical Landmarks program</a> was created to enhance the public's recognition and appreciation of the contributions of the chemical sciences and chemical engineering to modern life and to increase the sense of pride in their practitioners. The Bakelizer was designated as the first landmark on November 9, 1993. Leo H. Baekeland used the Bakelizer autoclave to produce Bakelite<sup>庐</sup>, the first wholly synthetic plastic. To date, the American Chemical Society has declared more than 60 places, discoveries and achievements historic chemical landmarks.</p> </div> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"> <div class="container"> <h2><h2>125 Year Anniversary</h2> </h2> </div></div> <div class="text parbase"><div data-testid='text-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div> <p>In 2001, the ACS celebrated its 125 Year Anniversary by commissioning a three-dimensional tribute sculpture by Italian artist Lawrence Romorini. The Society also developed an elaborate online presentation and historical timeline to commemorate the events which have played a role in the growth of the chemical industry and the expansion of the Society鈥檚 interests.</p> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4 right-block"> <div class="rightContent parsys"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-3 transition-nav"> <div class="transitionLeftNav acsLeftNav"><div data-testid='acsleftnav-component' class="ui-nav" role="navigation" data-composer='leftnav' data-action='init'> <h2> <a href="/about.html">About ACS</a> <span class="left-nav-menu-badge"> —Menu</span> </h2> <ul role="list" aria-label="Browse About ACS"> <li> <a href="/about/aboutacs.html" x-aem-linkchecker="valid"> <span>ACS Facts</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/inclusion.html" x-aem-linkchecker="valid"> <span>Inclusion</span> </a> </li> <li class="selected"> <span>History</span> </li> <li> <a href="/about/makedonation.html" x-aem-linkchecker="valid"> <span>Donate</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/governance.html" x-aem-linkchecker="valid"> <span>Governance</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/leadership.html" x-aem-linkchecker="valid"> <span>Leadership</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/strategic-initiatives.html" x-aem-linkchecker="valid"> <span>ACS Strategic Initiatives</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-testid="layout-footer-sharebar" class="sharebar2_footer"> <div class="container"> <div class="sharebar2_label">Share this page:</div> <div class="addthis sharebar2 parbase"> <div class="sharebar2 " data-testid='sharebar2-component'>  <a href="javascript:window.open('https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acs.org%2Fabout%2Fhistory.html', '_blank', 'width=450,height=550');void(0);" class="social-icon facebook" title="Facebook"> <span class="hiddenButRead">Facebook</span> </a>  <a href="javascript:window.open('https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acs.org%2Fabout%2Fhistory.html&title=ACS History - American Chemical Society', '_blank', 'width=450,height=550');void(0);" class="social-icon linkedin" title="LinkedIn"> <span class="hiddenButRead">LinkedIn</span> </a>  <a href="javascript:window.open('https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acs.org%2Fabout%2Fhistory.html&text=ACS%20History%20-%20American%20Chemical%20Society', '_blank', 'width=450,height=550');void(0);" class="social-icon twitter" title="Tweet"> <span class="hiddenButRead">X</span> </a>  <a href="javascript:window.open('https://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=https%3A%2F%2Fassetscloud.acs.org%2Facs-bootstrap%2Fv2.0%2Fimages%2Facs-logo-facebook.png&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acs.org%2Fabout%2Fhistory.html&is_video=false&description=ACS%20History%20-%20American%20Chemical%20Society', '_blank', 'width=450,height=550');void(0);" class="social-icon pinterest" title="Pinterest"> <span class="hiddenButRead">Pinterest</span> </a>  <a href="mailto:?subject=ACS.org%3A%20ACS%20History&body=From%20The%20American%20Chemical%20Society%3A%0A%0AACS%20History%0A%0ARead%20about%20the%20history%20of%20the%20American%20Chemical%20Society%20from%20its%20inception%20in%201876%20through%20the%2020th%20and%20into%20the%2021st%20century.%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.acs.org%2Fabout%2Fhistory.html" class="social-icon email" title="Email"> <span class="hiddenButRead">Email</span> </a> </div>  </div> </div> </div>  <div data-testid="layout-cookiebanner"> <div data-testid='cookiebanner-component' class="alert-banner__cookie disabled search-ignore"> <div class="container"> <p> <button class="cookie-consent" data-testid="cookie-consent-button">Accept & Close</button> The ACS takes your privacy seriously as it relates to cookies. We use cookies to remember users, better understand ways to serve them, improve our value proposition, and optimize their experience. Learn more about managing your cookies at <a href="/content/acs/en/cookies.html">Cookies Policy</a>. </p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-testid="layout-footer" class="footer acsFooter parbase">  <div data-testid='acsfooter-component' id="ft" class="search-ignore extended" role="contentinfo"> <div class="container"> <div id="ft-sitemap"> <div class="sitemap-col"> <a href="/" class="footer__logo"><img alt="American Chemical Society, Chemistry for Life" loading="lazy" src="/etc.clientlibs/acs-cdn/aem6/cdn/static/resources/images/acs-logo-white.svg" width="175" height="56"/></a> </div> <div class="sitemap-col"> <dl data-testid='acsfooterlinklist-component' class="sitemap-cat"> <dt>GET TO KNOW US</dt> <dd><a href="/about.html?sc=180808_GlobalFooter_od">About ACS</a></dd> <dd><a href="/pressroom/news-room.html?sc=180808_GlobalFooter_od">Press Room</a></dd> <dd><a href="https://recruiting.ultipro.com/AME1095ACHM/JobBoard/c52f9a39-fdc5-4ae2-9eaf-cb8a7bda923e/?q=&o=postedDateDesc&w=&wc=&we=&wpst=">Jobs at ACS</a></dd> <dd><a href="/about/governance.html?sc=180808_GlobalFooter_od">Governance</a></dd> <dd><a href="https://www.store.acs.org/?sc=180808_GlobalFooter_od">ACS Store</a></dd> </dl> </div> <div class="sitemap-col"> <dl data-testid='acsfooterlinklist-component' class="sitemap-cat"> <dt>JOIN US</dt> <dd><a href="https://membership.join.acs.org/?sc=190101_GlobalFooter_od">Join ACS</a></dd> <dd><a href="https://membership.renew.acs.org/?sc=190101_GlobalFooter_od">Renew Membership</a></dd> <dd><a href="https://www.acs.org/membership.html">Member Benefits</a></dd> </dl> </div> <div class="sitemap-col"> <dl data-testid='acsfooterlinklist-component' class="sitemap-cat"> <dt>GET INVOLVED</dt> <dd><a href="/policy.html">Advocate</a></dd> <dd><a href="/volunteer.html">Volunteer</a></dd> <dd><a href="/donate.html">Donate</a></dd> <dd><a href="https://communities.acs.org">ACS Network</a></dd> </dl> </div> <div class="sitemap-col"> <div class="footer__title">Follow Us</div> <div class="ft-social-links"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChemicalSociety" class="social-icon facebook" aria-label="Follow us on Facebook"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AmerChemSociety" class="social-icon twitter" aria-label="Follow us on Twitter"></a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-chemical-society" class="social-icon linkedin" aria-label="Follow us on LinkedIn"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amerchemsociety/?hl=en" class="social-icon instagram" aria-label="Follow us on Instagram"></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ft-acs-address"><div data-testid='text-component' class="container " data-ishtl="true"> <div> <p>1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA |聽<a href="mailto:service@acs.org">service@acs.org</a>聽|聽1-800-333-9511 (US and Canada) | 614-447-3776 (outside North America)</p> </div> </div></div> </div> <div class="ft-links"> <div class="container"> <ul> <li><a href="#top">Top ^</a></li> <li><a href="/terms.html">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="/security.html">Security</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy.html">Privacy</a></li> <li><a href="/accessibility-statement.html">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li> <li><a href="/contact.html">Contact</a></li> <li><a href="/help.html">Help</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/copyright.html">Copyright ©</a> 2025 American Chemical Society</p> </div> </div> </div>   </div> <script data-testid="js-analytics" type="text/javascript"> (function() { window.pagedata = {"gated":"Non Gated","path":"/content/acs/en/about/history","gatedType":"","omniHier1":"About ACS:History","omniSubSection3":"About ACS:History","omniPageName":"About ACS:about/history","omniSubSection2":"About ACS:History","title":"ACS History","omniSubSection1":"About ACS:History","omniDomain":"www.acs.org","omniContentId":"","omniChannel":"About ACS"}; }()) </script>  <script src="https://assetscloud.acs.org/v2.0/acs-bootstrap/js/acs.min.js"></script> <script src="/etc.clientlibs/acs-cdn/aem6/cdn/components.lc-81c9553bde5aa5ae44924de2bb757174-lc.min.js"></script> <script>  (function() { window._prum = [['id', '5182d37babe53d3b66000000'], ['mark', 'firstbyte', (new Date()).getTime()]]; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0] , p = document.createElement('script'); p.async = 'async'; p.src = '//rum-static.pingdom.net/prum.min.js'; s.parentNode.insertBefore(p, s); })(); </script>   <script async="async" src="//assets.adobedtm.com/822408db7b4a/f9e889f09bf1/launch-758c59e3763b.min.js"></script> <div class="cloudservices servicecomponents"> </div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

ACS History - American Chemical Society