TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Introduction . 2 Chapter 2 Organization and Establishment . 3 Chapter 3 Early Years . 5 Chapter 4 Operation, Expansion and Emergence . 8 Chapter 5 Meetings, Conferences and Workshops . 13 Chapter 6 SIAM’s Journals Fulfill a Mission . 15 Chapter 7 The Book Publishing Program . 19 Chapter 8 Commitment to Education . 22 Chapter 9 Recognizing Excellence . 25 Chapter 10 Leadership . 29 2 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION One of the most significant factors affecting the increasing demand for mathematicians during the early 1950s was the development of the electronic digital computer. The ENIAC was developed in Philadelphia in 1946. Origins A Need Arises Mathematicians In the years during and especially One of the most significant eventually began following the Second World War, the factors affecting this increas- working with engi- nation experienced a surge in industri- ing demand for mathemati- neers and scientists al and military research and the devel- cians during the early 1950s more frequently, in opment of related technology, thus was the development of the a wider variety of creating a need for improved mathe- electronic digital computer. areas, including matical and computational methods. One of the first, the ENIAC, software develop- To illustrate, in 1938, there were about was completed in 1946. As An ad that appeared in the ment, trajectory 850 mathematicians and statisticians early as 1933, scientists, engi- SIAM NEWSLETTER May, 1956 simulations, com- employed by the federal government. neers and mathematicians at puter design, vibra- By 1954, however, that number nearly the Moore School of Electrical tion studies, structural and mechanical quadrupled to 3200. Likewise, at the Engineering of the University of design, radar and communications sys- turn of the 20th century, there were Pennsylvania began working with their tem design, and coding theory. barely a dozen mathematicians work- counterparts in the military to construct Working as a team, the applied mathe- ing in industry in the United States, a differential analyzer. Over time, this matician would conduct the prelimi- but by 1953, this number had grown device was greatly improved through the nary analysis of the systems and devices to approximately 1500. More impor- use of then-modern servomechanisms proposed for construction by engineers tantly, though, despite this increase in and was made more versatile through and other professionals. Having mathe- the number of mathematicians work- advanced mathematical techniques. maticians play such a critical role in ing in the industrial sector in the mid- When the ENIAC was first developed, industrial research and development 1900s, there was a demand for twice it was used primarily by the armed sparked a growing need for new mathe- this amount. forces to make calculations relating to matical insight and methods to ensure the design and deployment of rockets the effective use and design of new and missiles; prepare firing tables; and technology such as computers, radar develop solutions to a host of other communications systems and television. research problems. However, because this prototype and the computers that followed permitted a higher level of complexity in mathematical models to be subjected to final numerical evalua- tion, computers gradually began to be used in various fields of science and industry, as well. 3 CHAPTER 2 ORGANIZATION AND ESTABLISHMENT SIAM was incorporated on April 30, 1952 as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Delaware. An Idea Takes Shape Philadelphia at an engineering lab at group should be called the Society for By the early 1950s, mathematicians, the Drexel Institute of Technology (now Industrial and Applied Mathematics. engineers and scientists began to think Drexel University). Members of the And so, the movement toward organi- that meeting the latest technological organizing committee included: I. zation had begun. demands required the promotion of Edward Block, Donald B. Houghton, applied mathematics and computation Samuel S. McNeary, Cletus O. Oakley, The Society Is Formed in industrial research. This sentiment George Patterson, III and George During the first quarter of 1952, the was shared by several of the participants Sonneman. During this meeting, it was fledgling group was occupied with the who had attended the November 30, mentioned that an Industrial formalities of organizing the society. 1951 meeting of the Servomechanisms Mathematics Society was located in With help from the Philco Corporation, Section of the American Institute of Detroit, Michigan and a debate arose as SIAM was incorporated on April 30, Electrical Engineers at the Chalfont- to whether the proposed organization 1952 as a non-profit organization under Haddon Hall in Atlantic City, New should affiliate with the Michigan asso- the laws of the State of Delaware. Jersey. Two of these participants in ciation. The organizers of the new According to its Articles of particular– I. Edward Block, a group concluded that the organization Incorporation, the society was organ- consulting mathematician at the Philco should be an independent, regional ized: (a) to further the application of Corporation, and George Patterson, III, professional society dedicated to the mathematics to industry and science; (b) a mathematical logician at the Burroughs idea that mathematics should play a to promote basic research in mathematics Adding Machine Company– were espe- greater role in solving the problems of leading to new methods and techniques cially committed to the formation of government and industry and that useful to industry and science; and (c) to such an organization. After some discus- members of academe, government and provide media for the exchange of infor- sion on the issue, several of the partici- industry should join forces to achieve mation and ideas between mathematicians pants assembled at this meeting decided this goal. It was also decided that this and other technical and scientific person- to form a professional organization for nel. To ensure the strongest interactions mathematicians working in industry and between mathematics and other scientif- government to convey useful mathemati- ic and technological communities, this cal knowledge to other professionals who three-fold aim of SIAM has remained could implement the theory for practi- the same for the past half-century. cal, industrial or scientific use. First Headquarters Steps toward Organization in Philadelphia A few weeks later, in December Given SIAM’s limited funds at this 1951, the first meeting for this pro- time, Donald Houghton, who was posed organization was held in employed by the Franklin Institute Laboratories in Philadelphia, persuaded 4 SIAM’S HEADQUARTERS the Franklin Institute to With the formalities of provide SIAM with some incorporation complete, the OVER THE EARS Y office space for its first society’s next step was to rally As the associa- headquarters. The Institute the interest and support of tion’s member- also provided some storage more members. SIAM’s bylaws ship grew over space and the secretarial provided that members were to its first three services needed to conduct be elected into the society by a decades, so did the society’s business. Until vote of the Council through its its staff and need SIAM was finally able to Membership Committee. Three for office space. afford to lease office space classes of membership were Consequently, in in 1958, the business office Franklin Institute established: ordinary, contribut- the late 1950s of its early presidents usual- ing and institutional. The and early 1960s, SIAM moved ly served as its headquarters. Philco Corporation, in early 1952, its headquarters to various printed promotional materials; assem- locations near the campuses of Framework for Success bled and maintained a listing of mem- the University of Pennsylvania By June 1952, the society’s bylaws had and Drexel University. By the bers; and made mailings as needed. All mid-1960s, SIAM began to been completed, and they required that: the mailings that were used to lease office space in downtown (1) the organization’s affairs be managed announce SIAM’s meetings in the win- Philadelphia at 33 South by a Board of Trustees; (2) its officers ter and spring of 1952 were also used to 17th Street. include a president, two vice-presidents, solicit members. As a result, member- a secretary and a treasurer; and (3) a In July, 1980, SIAM moved its ship in the society began to grow. By Council be appointed to formulate and headquarters down the street to November 1952, the society had more 117 South 17th Street. This administer the scientific policies of the soci- than 130 members. space served the Society well ety and to act in an advisory capacity to for several years, but by 1988, the Board of Trustees. The Council was Early Meetings SIAM’s office space was again also made responsible for the society’s James W. Crease, then president of in need of publications, the first of which was des- the Drexel Institute of Technology, expansion. ignated by the bylaws as a Bulletin. To made a commitment to support the In August facilitate some of the soci- growth of this new organiza- 1988, SIAM ety’s objectives, the bylaws tion and offered to host entered into also required the forma- SIAM’s early meetings at an agree- tion of two committees. Drexel’s Picture Gallery. ment of sale The Publication Committee Approximately 180 people for the pur- was to be responsible for attended the first meeting, chase of publishing the Bulletin, as held at Drexel, on March 17, 21,000 well as any other publica- 1952. W. F. G. Swann, square feet of office space in a tions deemed necessary by Director of the Bartol nine-story glass and steel build- the Council. Consisting of Foundation of the Franklin ing being constructed at at least two Council mem- Institute was the speaker. His 36th and Market Streets in Drexel Institute Philadelphia. SIAM moved into bers and others, the presentation was titled, its current headquarters in July Program Committee was to Mathematics, the Backbone of 1989.