Joining nations 1947-1990

CONTENTS

Preface

Vil

Setting the scene

1

The backcloth of war The welding background

3

The birth of the IIW

7 7 8 9

2

Preliminary activities The founder members The constitution The IIW launched The founding fathers

10 12

18 18 19 21 24 25 25 26

3 Early developments, 1949-1954 The first Assembly Scientific and Technical Secretariat Annual Assemblies US membership Elections to membership Commissions Other innovations

28

4 Consolidation, 1954-1961

5 A first crisis and its aftermath, 1961-1964

34

6 A diplomatic crisis and a period of further progress,

1965-1975

37

7 Adapting to change, 1975-1982

47

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