the blockade in the Atlantic prevented European dyes from coming to America, and the fledgling American dye manufacturers struggled with providing consistent products. Louis A. Olney was a professor at the Lowell Textile School and is considered the Founder of AATCC. Olney had been a founding member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, a member of the American Chemical Society, involved in higher management at several New England mills, and was editor of the Technical Section of American Dyestuff Reporter. AATCC was founded at a meeting of 140 men on November 3, 1921, at the Engineer's Club in Boston, Massachusetts Local sections of the Association began forming immediately after AATCC was formed. Proceedings of the Association's activities were carried in American Dyestuff Reporter until AATCC launched Textile Chemist & Colorist in 1969. AATCC was housed at the Lowell Textile School until 1963. 1923 AATCC published its first four color fastness test methods in 1923. 1964 AATCC built and moved into the Technical Center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina in 1964. 1965 AATCC began conducting test method training programs in 1965. Durable press testing was the most popular training initially offered at the Technical Center. 1966 AATCC symposia began in 1966 at hotels and other venues throughout the US. What to Test for Durable Press was the first AATCC symposium, held in Washington, D.C. in March 1966. A Flock Technology Symposium was held in Washington, D.C. in December 1967. 1969 AATCC first published Textile Chemist & Colorist in January 1969. The cover of the first issue featured a photomicrograph of hand-drawn polypropylene filament. 1996 AATCC launched www.aatcc.org in 1996. 1997 In 1997, AATCC launched a public charitable arm, AATCC Foundation Inc. The Foundation provides scholarships and grants for textile education and research. 1999 In 1999, AATCC purchased American Dyestuff Reporter. AATCC also began exhibiting at international trade shows in 1999. 2000 In 2000, AATCC established a Mexican office and conducted test method training in Mexico. The satellite office has since been closed. 2001 In 2001, AATCC combined Textile Chemist & Colorist and American Dyestuff Reporter into AATCC Review and received its first of many Apex Awards for Publications Excellence. 2002 AATCC Proficiency Testing Programs were launched in 2002. The Membership Directory went online for easy use by all members that same year. In 2002, the first major renovation of Technical Center included new ceilings and lighting, a new HVAC