Both the field of mass spectrometry and the Society itself have rich histories. With the dedicated assistance of archivist Michael Grayson, ASMS is commited to preserving as much of this history as possible for the enjoyment and enrichment of the community.
General Resources
Go to the History of Mass Spectrometry and ASMS page and is available to everyone.
Online versions of the conference Plenary lectures, the Tutorials, and the Award Lectures given in recent years (members only)
Oral History Project
Oral histories of scientists important to the history of mass spectrospectrometry are being assembled by ASMS in cooperation with the Chemical Heritage Foundation. The interviews are conducted by ASMS Archivist Michael Grayson. The Chemical Heritage Foundation transcribes and emendates the histories and maintains a bound final version.
Download and read the completed oral histories of the following people.
ASMS Past Presidents
View the gallery of the past presidents of the Society. Future content will be historical records of the previous Boards of ASMS and then an online photo archive that documents the Society with pictures.
ASMS and the Chemical Heritage Foundation
ASMS has been an affiliated society of the Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) for over 20 years. [Learn more] During that time, a member of ASMS has served as an Observer of the CHF Board Meetings, then as a member of the Board of Directors, and finally as a member of the Chemical Heritage Council; all the while helping to guide the development of CHF.
CHF has contributed to ASMS by providing support and assistance in a number of areas:
- Collection and maintenance of significant mass spectrometry artifacts.
- Providing funds and services for the publication of “Measuring Mass” for the 50th Anniversary Conference.
- Providing funds and services in the collection and maintenance of oral histories of prominent scientists in the field of mass spectrometry.
- Providing funds and resources for the collection and organization of papers of prominent mass spectrometrists.
All members of ASMS are encouraged to visit the CHF website (www.chemheritage.org) and if in the Philadelphia area, to visit the Chemical Heritage Foundation at 315 Chestnut Street, in the heart of the historic district.
Visit the CHF museum of chemical instrumentation "Making Modernity." [Learn more]
Hours are Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. First Friday of the month: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.