ASME Presidents -
The Oral History Archives

ASME presidents each devote a very active year leading the Society and our profession, grappling with technical and policy challenges facing industry, academia, government and the public at large. In recognition of their important role charting a course for the Society, ASME has been recording oral histories with its presidents for over 50 years.


In this series, ME Magazine and
ASME.org comb the archive to share
some of the highlights.


Waste Combustion
ASME Past President Charles O. Velzy ('89/'90) recalls
the Society's role in a key environmental study.
Read the article | Watch Video clip


The Rise of ASME in Washington
ASME Past Presidents Donald E. Marlowe ('69/'70) and
Reginald I. Vachon ('03/'04) discuss the Society's expansion
into the domain of public policy.
Read the article | Watch Video clip


Glasnost and ASME
ASME Past Presidents Richard Rosenberg ('87/'88) and
Ernest L. Daman ('88/'89) describe the Society's role in
improving relations with Soviet engineers during Glasnost.
Read the article | Watch Video clip


ASME and FIRST
ASME Past President Keith B. Thayer ('97/'98) recalls
the origins of the Society's involvement with For the
Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.
Read the article


The Globalization of ASME
Many ASME Past Presidents addressed how the Society might
expand its global outreach. These include Donald E. Marlowe
('69/'70), Allen F. Rhodes ('70/'71), Richard G. Folsom ('72/'73),
Donald N. Zwiep ('79/'80), Arthur E. Bergles ('90/'91), Nathan H.
Hurt ('91/'92), Reginald I. Vachon ('03/'04) and Terry E. Shoup ('06/'07).
Read the article | Watch Video clip


Women in Engineering
ASME Past Presidents Sam Y. Zamrik ('07/'08) and Nancy
Fitzroy ('86/'87) describe the role and experiences
of women in engineering.
Read the article | Watch Video clip