Chapter History

From the Historian's Desk:

Times change, bringing about advances in travel, communications, medicine and of course heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technologies. In glimpsing through a collection of old BTU Breeze newsletters, one would easily notice the differences in technology discussed at ASHRAE meetings 40 years ago compared to now. However, in addition to these difference, it is interesting to note the social changes that have taken place through the course of Kansas City ASHRAE. Here are a few of the highlights:

· In the 1960s and 1970s, KC ASHRAE designated one meeting a year as "Ladies Night", in which members' wives were permitted to attend. The January 1968 meeting featured a sort of art show of "Trash to Treasures", in which one of the member's wives discussed her collection of decorative items for the home, which she made from junk. The January 1969 Ladies Night included a fashion show presented by Marshas Dress Shoppe.

· In an effort to encourage new membership in 1965-66, a key membership to the Playboy Club of Kansas City was the prize for the ASHRAE man who brought in the most new members.

· In 1967, KC ASHRAE members were encouraged to attend the convention in Detroit. A first class TWA flight to the convention cost $53.29.

While some of the social aspects of the group may bring us a chuckle 40 years later, let us remember to be grateful for the shoulders of these men upon which we stand today to move even further ahead in our industry.

Chapter Historian
Tel. No.: 913-269-0287
E-mail: jfawcett@sunflower.com