ORIGINS OF INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION 525 It is our genuine hope that each of you will gather new facts, new ideas, new hopes and that you will be repaid beyond your expectations, in knowl- edge and enjoyment. To all my colleagues, for their contributions to the success of this Congress, I express my sincere gratitude. Again, we welcome you and pray that you are amply rewarded for having attended this Congress. ROB•.Rrr A. KR^M•.R ORIGINS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SOCIETIES OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS The concept of an international group of cosmetic scientists meeting together for the purpose of exchanging knowledge and elevating their stature in the eyes of fellow scientists would have been untenable 25 years ago. Indeed, the formation of a scientific body of cosmetic chemists within a country was not especially a hopeful thought at that time wit- ness the belated slow birth of the first SOCIETY of COSMETIC CHEMISTS in the United States. Then came the war. It pointed up the fact that knowledge was not a national property--it was to change our entire relationship with other countries. Although there are some differences in practice and belief between geographic areas and within a given area itself, there is general agreement between cosmetic chemists on the fundamentals of the science. Thus, while some animal and vegetable derivatives are popular cosmetic in- gredients outside of North America, there is basic unanimity of opinion regarding the safety of cosmetic materials, emulsion science and preservation for example, throughout the cosmetic world. The postwar era with its new philosophy developed a climate that made it possible to form a SocIF. T¾ oF COSMF. TIC CHEMISTS in the United States. The year 1945 gave it life. This was the beginning of a worldwide movement resulting in the formation of over a dozen such societies in principal industrial nations throughout the free world. With this background, it was no surprise that the autonomous Societies of Cosmetic Chemists so formed began to think in terms of some form of international association. To this extent one must recognize the efforts of the Soci•t• Fran•aise de Cosm•tologie who arranged "Le Rassemblement International" in Paris on July 28-30, 1957. About ten delegations from different countries were present at this meeting by invitation. Representing the French were President Bourdet, energetic L. Schmuck, perennial S. Sabetay, studious

526 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS Jean Morelle, youthful Rene Colson, deep thinking Jean Stiras and formal H. Luzuy who prepared and presented a basic constitution for an Inter- national Federation. The language barrier was mainly removed by translations by Messrs. Schmuck, Pfeiffer and Dumont, among others. This meeting had its exciting moments. It proved again that a word in one language had a different meaning in another. One such word was cosmetologie. It was only one of several stumbling blocks, but not an impasse. It was the tenacious determination of M. Schmuck and M. Luzuy that kept the discussions going. Although little actual progress was achieved, the debate made the delegates think actively in terms of international collaboration. These thoughts were discussed, argued and eventually resolved in- dependently by the several Societies of Cosmetic Chemists. And so, with patience, understanding and the desire to enhance the stature of cosmetic science and the individuals who work at it, a Federation was formed about 2 years later. The newly formed Federation found itself instantly engulfed in problems. Distances between the various delegates' countries, language differences, word meanings, legal requirements, financing, equality of representation, a constitution, officers and headquarters were some of the immediate matters requiring urgent attention. About five years have passed, with as many presidents. A working International Federation exists. It has authorized two previous Inter- national Congresses, one in Munich in 1960, then again in London in 1962 now the present one here in New York City. The magnitude of each program testifies to the virility and proficiency of the Federation and its member Societies. The scope of its internal activities has advanced the cause of cosmetic science and is making for better understanding be- tween the member Societies, assuring the future of the Federation. Let this memorial conclude with a remembrance of the founders who murtured the ideal into reality. Their names are many. They came together they recognized the enormity of the labor and they conquered the obstacles. M. G. DF• N^V^RRF•