Joining nations 1947-1990

4

JOINING NATIONS

only process used. However, the increasing availability of electric power in the early years of this century favoured the growth of arc and subsequently resistance welding. As is so often the case, warfare proved a catalyst for development and the use of welding as a manufacturing, as distinct from a repair, process began during the 1914-1918 war, after which it was increasingly employed. Between l 897 and l 9 l 4, the importance of acetylene, which was widely used for lighting, led to the formation in several countries of trade associations comprising firms in the acetylene industry. Inevit– ably these associations became interested in welding which eventually superseded lighting as the principal market for acetylene. In some countries, notably France, Germany and Switzerland, these asso– ciations gradually transformed themselves into the present national welding organisations. In view of the rivalry between gas and elec– tricity as power sources, it is not surprising that in other countries new welding societies were formed, an early example being the American Welding Society in 1919. These national welding institutes or societies had and still have a number of different functions, partly dictated by the prevailing tradi– tions in the country concerned. Some were primarily learned socie– ties, bringing together users of welding and manufacturers of welding supplies; others were more overtly educational or concerned with functions such as research, standardisation or inspection. In the course of time, most came to perform more than one function and almost all are publishers of welding journals and other technical literature. It does not appear that these bodies had significant contacts with each other before the creation of the IIW. People then travelled less than they do today and consequently there were fewer contacts with foreigners who were regarded by many, irrespective of nationality, with some degree of apprehension. There was thus less need to speak foreign languages, an attainment still largely confined to the leisured classes. Nevertheless, in the years between the two world wars there did exist an international organisation which was concerned with welding, albeit only gas welding. This was the Commission Permanente Inter– nationale de l'Acetylene (CPI) and it brought together representatives of the national acetylene trade associations, generally speaking in the persons of the proprietors or senior staff of companies making acetylene or using it. While the influence of the CPI on the develop– ment of welding was necessarily limited, its existence ensured the