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 the American Society for Testing and Materials, 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 its second headquarters location 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 the American Society for Testing and Materials, 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 its second headquarters location 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.