The Society of American Foresters first served as a forum and professional home for wood scientists. However, as interest and the number of new wood scientists grew, a new home was needed. The Forest Products Research Society was formed in 1947 and began to serve as the new home for wood-use professionals. The FPRS-Education Committee, established in 1950, played a major role in the definition and direction of education in wood science and technology and sowed the seeds for the origin of SWST. By 1957, a nucleus of eminent wood scientists and wood technologists began discussing ways to meet their needs for a professional identity and professional society. At the annual meeting of the Forest Products Research Society held in Buffalo, New York, in June 1957, a call was made by the author and his colleague, Ben Jayne, to convene a group in an effort to answer the question: “Where is the ‘Research’ in the Forest Products Research Society?” From this meeting of interested parties, a committee was appointed to look further into the matter. The committee comprised the following individuals: James Bethel, Chairman, Fred Dickinson, Herbert Fleischer, Ben Jayne, George Marra, Steven Preston, Jack Stillinger, and Carl deZeeuw. A meeting to be held a year later, on Sunday, 22 June 1958, in Madison, Wisconsin, just prior to the FPRS annual meeting. It was held at the home of Robert Youngs. The committee prepared a draft constitution for a society which, temporarily, was named the American Institute of Wood Engineering. The name was changed to Society of Wood Science and Technology and incorporated on June 5th, 1961. Through the years SWST has matured into a well-respected international society.