The Cryogenic Society of America was founded in 1964. David Carse, the first national President of CSA, traced the “history” of the newly formed body in his article “Cryo Comment,” published in Volume 1, No. 1 of the society’s journal, Cryogenic Technology. At that time he had worked in sales at Union Carbide Corporation, Linde Division for 35 years. After retiring from Linde in 1962, Carse became western Sales Manager for Hofman Laboratories, a part of Air Reduction Sales Co.
He wrote, “Due to the vastly increased use of cryogenic fluids and equipment in aerospace, military, scientific, medical and industrial fields, it was apparent that a need existed for a national technical society to serve those interested in all phases of the art, science, engineering and application of cryogenics…this need was informally expressed with growing frequency at meetings such as the Cryogenic Engineering Conferences.”
Questionnaires about the possible formation of a society were sent out and “response was very favorable from almost all contacts. In many cases it amounted to, simply, ‘How and where do I join?’” A “Founders Group” drawn from industry, government agencies and university faculties met and decided to form CSA as a national organization with local chapters in various geographical areas. At the same time, a Southern California local chapter was formed.
After inquiries came in “from all over the country,” two of the founders were invited to address the 1964 Cryogenic Engineering Conference about the new society. There followed establishment of bylaws and policies and a new publication, Cryogenic Technology, was founded as the official journal. The society was formally declared to be in operation on September 23, 1964.
Carse concluded: “among the CSA plans are the establishment of standards for the cryogenic industry; the sponsorship of local and national trade shows; cooperation with and assistance to the Cryogenic Engineering Conference, and assistance to local chapters to obtain speakers of renown. It is hoped that all persons engaged in cryogenic activities will become CSA members and that the society will be given the full support of the cryogenic industry.”
The extensive list of founders included, besides Carse, Dr. W. English, Douglas Aircraft Company, Astropower Laboratory (to whom we are indebted for our archive of Cryogenic Technology volumes), Publications; Dr. N. Tiner, Douglas Aircraft Company, Astropower Laboratory, Constitution and Bylaws and Chairman, Southern California Chapter; Dr. R. Frederking, University of California Los Angeles Engineering Department, Editor Abstracts and Indexes; C. Quillin, Bemco, Inc, National Secretary; Robert Wilson, NASA, National Programs Chairman; Harry Gilmore, Gilmore Liquid Air Company, National Treasurer; Robert Biever, Gilmore Liquid Air Company, Local Chapter Activities Chairman; Wallis Tener, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; Leonard Payne, General Dynamics Corporation, Liquid Carbonic Division, Entertainment Chairman, Southern California Chapter; W. Sutton, Union Carbide Corporation, Linde Division, Secretary, Southern California Chapter; and D. Cozine, Aerojet-General Corporation, Aetron Division.
The first meeting of CSA’s Southern California Chapter was held on October 27, 1964, with R. Hallet, Jr., Director, Research & Development-Missile & Space Systems Division, Douglas Aircraft Company, speaking on “Cryogenics in Space.”
The first issue of Cryogenic Technology featured, besides extensive coverage of the society’s founding, articles on cryogenic transportation equipment, news items, the text of the Constitution and Bylaws, and lots of photos of men in suits and ties! Ads represented such companies as Paul Chemical Company; Reynolds Aluminum; Liquid Carbonic Div. of General Dynamics; Ronan & Kunzl; American Air Liquide, Inc.; Valcor; Cryogenerators Div. of North American Philips Co., Inc.; Calmec Mfg. Corp.; M. W. Kellogg Co. Div. of Pullman Inc.; Sulfrian Cryogenics, Inc.; Cosmodyne; Messer; Air Reduction Sales Co.; Hofman Laboratories; and Delta Southern Co.
