AChemS: the beginning. Association for Chemoreception Sciences

This paper unfolds the events, the people and the times that led up to thefounding of AChemS and fashioned its character during its early formativeyears. It describes the path over which AChemS came, going from theoriginal assertions and denials for the need of such an organization to itslater inception and nascent development. This narration highlights suchtopics as the debate over the need for AChemS, the role of National ScienceFoundation in the founding of AChemS, the derivation of the Association'sname, the choice of Sarasota and the Hyatt House as the meeting site, thegeneration of the programs for the early annual meetings, the adoption ofthe bylaws, the process of incorporation and tax deferment, and the birthof the Givaudan Lectureship. Most emphatically highlighted, however, is theenthusiasm, commitment and hard work that the members of the chemosensoryresearch community displayed in bringing AChemS to fruition.