125 Years of ASTM International
ASTM International’s history is storied and expansive. Scroll through this interactive timeline, starting in 1898 up through today.
1898
Seventy people meet in Philadelphia to form what would become ASTM, founded by Charles B. Dudley.
1901
The first standard – on steel rails – is issued.
1929
The Cement Reference Laboratory – precursor to CCRL – is established.
1942
ASTM introduces emergency standards to support WWII efforts.
1950
ASTM standards for buildings and construction help drive growth of cities and suburbs.
1962
Seattle’s Space Needle, built for the World’s Fair, features steel legs built to ASTM standards.
1964
ASTM moves into new headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1970
Soil, water, and air quality committees begin to develop standards supporting the environment.
1978
ASTM begins creating standards for variety of consumer products.
1993
ASTM launches Proficiency Testing Program as quality assurance tool for laboratories.
1995
ASTM establishes new global headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
2001
ASTM changes name to ASTM International and launches Memorandum of Understanding program with standards bodies worldwide.
2002
ASTM International opens first office in Latin America.
2003
ASTM International establishes new student membership category.
2004
Interlaboratory Study program launches to create precision and bias statements for test methods.
2005
ASTM International opens office in Beijing, China.
2006
Digital Library is launched, providing access to many technical documents.
2013
Compass® platform launches as online resource for standards, training, and other services.
ASTM International opens European office in Brussels, Belgium, and Canadian office in Ottawa, Ontario.
2014
ASTM International launches new brand: “Helping our world work better.”
2015
ASTM International establishes emerging professionals program.
2016
Global certification leader Safety Equipment Institute becomes affiliate of ASTM International.
ASTM International signs 100th Memorandum of Understanding with Montserrat.
Launched Integrated Services and offers ASTM Compass® as a hosting platform to other organizations.
2018
First Center of Excellence launched, focused on additive manufacturing (3D printing).
Launched ASTM SpecBuilder, a collaboration platform for document development.
2019
ASTM’s second Center of Excellence launches, focused on exo technology.
First ASTM International Chapter opens in the United Arab Emirates.
2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ASTM International provides no-cost public access to a suite of standards used in the production and testing of personal protective equipment.
First Student Chapter launches at Florida International University.
ASTM International hosts the first International Conference on Additive Manufacturing (ICAM), an event which formally began in 2016 as a workshop on AM components.
2021
ASTM establishes new office in Singapore.
The Test Monitoring Center (TMC), which offers reference oil distribution and data handling services to labs involved in lubricant testing, becomes an ASTM International affiliate.
ASTM International acquires Wohlers Associates, a global leader in additive manufacturing intelligence.
Student Chapter launches at the Universidad de Ingenería y Tecnología in Peru.
ASTM International approves an organizational commitment to DEI&B and began an organization-wide journey focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with a goal of developing initiatives that lift all voices within ASTM offices, across the governance structure, and throughout global communities.
2022
ASTM Xcellerate, an emerging technology program supporting research to standards, launches
Student Chapter launches at the University of Central Lancashire in the England.
First ever ASTM International Meeting in Space, as astronaut and ASTM member Michael López Alegría hosts an executive committee meeting for the commercial spaceflight committee (F47) from the International Space Station.
ASTM establishes a set of core values, providing an organizational compass.
2023
ASTM International celebrates 125 years as one of the world’s leading standards organizations.
1898
Seventy people meet in Philadelphia to form what would become ASTM, founded by Charles B. Dudley.
1929
The Cement Reference Laboratory – precursor to CCRL – is established.
1950
ASTM standards for buildings and construction help drive growth of cities and suburbs.
1964
ASTM moves into new headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1978
ASTM begins creating standards for variety of consumer products.
1995
ASTM establishes new global headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
2002
ASTM International opens first office in Latin America.
2004
Interlaboratory Study program launches to create precision and bias statements for test methods.
2006
Digital Library is launched, providing access to many technical documents.
2014
ASTM International launches new brand: “Helping our world work better.”
2016
Global certification leader Safety Equipment Institute becomes affiliate of ASTM International.
ASTM International signs 100th Memorandum of Understanding with Montserrat.
Launched Integrated Services and offers ASTM Compass® as a hosting platform to other organizations.
2019
ASTM’s second Center of Excellence launches, focused on exo technology.
First ASTM International Chapter opens in the United Arab Emirates.
2021
ASTM establishes new office in Singapore.
The Test Monitoring Center (TMC), which offers reference oil distribution and data handling services to labs involved in lubricant testing, becomes an ASTM International affiliate.
ASTM International acquires Wohlers Associates, a global leader in additive manufacturing intelligence.
Student Chapter launches at the Universidad de Ingenería y Tecnología in Peru.
ASTM International approves an organizational commitment to DEI&B and began an organization-wide journey focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with a goal of developing initiatives that lift all voices within ASTM offices, across the governance structure, and throughout global communities.
1901
The first standard – on steel rails – is issued.
1942
ASTM introduces emergency standards to support WWII efforts.
1962
Seattle’s Space Needle, built for the World’s Fair, features steel legs built to ASTM standards.
1970
Soil, water, and air quality committees begin to develop standards supporting the environment.
1993
ASTM launches Proficiency Testing Program as quality assurance tool for laboratories.
2001
ASTM changes name to ASTM International and launches Memorandum of Understanding program with standards bodies worldwide.
2003
ASTM International establishes new student membership category.
2005
ASTM International opens office in Beijing, China.
2013
Compass® platform launches as online resource for standards, training, and other services.
ASTM International opens European office in Brussels, Belgium, and Canadian office in Ottawa, Ontario.
2015
ASTM International establishes emerging professionals program.
2018
First Center of Excellence launched, focused on additive manufacturing (3D printing).
Launched ASTM SpecBuilder, a collaboration platform for document development.
2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ASTM International provides no-cost public access to a suite of standards used in the production and testing of personal protective equipment.
First Student Chapter launches at Florida International University.
ASTM International hosts the first International Conference on Additive Manufacturing (ICAM), an event which formally began in 2016 as a workshop on AM components.
2022
ASTM Xcellerate, an emerging technology program supporting research to standards, launches
Student Chapter launches at the University of Central Lancashire in the England.
First ever ASTM International Meeting in Space, as astronaut and ASTM member Michael López Alegría hosts an executive committee meeting for the commercial spaceflight committee (F47) from the International Space Station.
ASTM establishes a set of core values, providing an organizational compass.
2023
ASTM International celebrates 125 years as one of the world’s leading standards organizations.