UP TO NOW: AN HISTORICAL NOTE By EDW^RD S^G^R•N Sagarin•rntitute for O/factory Research, •rn., New York g$, N.Y. THE VRGENT need for a pro- fessional organization of chemists engaged in the cosmetic and perfume industries had long been felt. In the large and powerful organization of technical men which is the American Chemical Society, the Cosmetic Chemist cannot hope to have focused upon his field of work more than some slight and occa- sional attention. The technical men, welcome as they were in such trade organizations as the Toilet Goods Association, could not feel that the latter could take the place of a professional society, in which the membership would be held by the individual, not by the company that is his employer. As early as May, 1935, an effort was made by Maison G. de- Navarre to call together a group for the purpose of forming an organi- zation, but in vain. Soon after the entry of America into the war, when the industry was making gigantic strides and was facing new and chal- lenging problems, again interest in a society began to manifest itself. Finally, on May 23, 1945, at the Hotel Lexington in New York City, a dozen men gathered and consti- tuted themselves the charter mem- bers of a group which they named the SOCIETY Or COSMETIC CHEMISTS. They were but twelve, and for their pioneering spirit they deserve mention by name: Dr. Philip D. Adams, Maison G. deNavarre, Robert Casely, Emery Emerson, E.' Gundlach, Dr. E.G. Klarmann, Dr. S. A. Karas, Raymond Reed, Marcel J. Surer, Dr. Walter A. Taylor, C. L. Thomas, and James H. Baker. The first meeting adopted a con- stitution and By-laws, which remain more or less, with slight changes, in effect a/t this time. The objec- tive of the SOCIETY was stated to be: "To establish a medium through which scientific knowledge of the toilet goods industry can be dis- seminated, and to improve cosmetic and perfumery technicians' profes- sional standing." There were but two papers given at the initial meeting, one by Maison G. deNavarre on the use of estrogens in cosmetic creams, and the other by a noted endocrinologist, Dr. Bernard Cinberg, on the limits of usefulness, possible dangers, and potential benefits from the use of 310

UP TO NOW: AN HISTORICAL NOTE 311 such creams. Thus the first meet- ing struck a note which has been followed since, to have speakers both from within the ranks of the SOCIETY and the cosmetic industry, and from those doing pertinent research but who are neither em- ployed in the industry nor members of the SOCIETY. Temporary officers were chosen by the charter mem- bers they were deNavarre, Adams and Emerson, as chairman, secre- tary, and treasurer, respectively. On Dec. 5, 1945, the second meeting was held at the New York Athletic Club, and there were four papers presented on a variety of subjects of interest to the Cosmetic Chemist, subjects ranging from patents to ion exchange materials, from perfumery to the suspending power of gums. At this meeting, a vote was taken with the result that the temporary officers of the previous meeting should fill the offices until the next regular mem- bership meeting. A drive to bring the eligible technical men of the industry into the SOCIETY was launched, under the leadership of a membership committee, consisting of Chairman Taylor and Klarmann, Karas, Gundlach, and Emerson. At the same time, investigations into the standards of professional conduct were undertaken by a com- mittee on ethics, headed by Chair- man Klarmann, and assisted by Karas, Bognet, and Taylor. And, finally, an editorial board, headed by Chairman Karas and also con- sisting of deNavarre and Klarmann was appointed to study the dispc- sition of all technical papers. This, in brief, was the ambitious program undertaken by the newborn So- CIETY. There were five technical papers presented at the May, 1946, meet- ing. It was reported that 25 new members had joined the SOCIETY, and on motion of Ray Reed, the Officers remained at the posts un- til the December gathering. Enter- tainment, nominating, and program committees were appointed, headed, respectively, by Ray Reed, Dr. Paul Jewel, and Dr. E. Klarmann. A cocktail party and dinner was given for members by the Albert Verley Company. From December, 1946, to date, the record of the SOCIETY, SO far as the technical papers and programs are concerned, is an exemplary one. The titles suggest the wide variety of important subjects, and the read- ing of the papers, most of which have appeared in the JouR•^L of the SOCIETY, will convince any and all that these papers were the result of serious study by highly compe- tent workers. The meetings have been extremely well attended, many of them drawing over 300 people. The SOCIETY has had debates and symposia. The officers and committee chair- men of the SOCIETY from 1947 to date are given below: 1947 President: EmilG. Klarmann Vice-President: Raymond E. Reed Secretary-Treasurer: Emery Emer- son Directors: M.G. deNavarre Walter Taylor