Celebrating 125 Years of ASTM International
The dedication and tireless efforts of ASTM’s 32,000+ international members impact the quality, safety, and productivity of more than 100+ industries. With more than 12,900 standards, ASTM improves the lives of millions worldwide: helping our world work better and helping us all live better.
A Letter from our President
It is an exciting time at ASTM International. This year, we’re celebrating our 125th anniversary.
As we’ve prepared for this year, I’ve had the opportunity of looking back at ASTM’s journey, and am humbled by the incredible impact we, as an organization, have made on society since our founding in 1898. While ASTM International has changed and evolved over the last 125 years, one constant has remained – a steadfast commitment to helping our world work better through the development of standards and services that enhance industry performance and empower consumer confidence every day.
We know this momentous milestone would never have been possible without the amazing and enduring work of our ASTM International family. From steel to sustainability, construction to commercial spaceflight, ASTM’s 30,000+ global members, bolstered by our governance and staff, have worked tirelessly to craft and refine more than 13,000 technical standards from nearly 150 committees. Through the work of our global partners and nearly 125 Memoranda of Understanding, ASTM standards have been cited nearly 8,000 times in laws and regulations around the world. What began with the railroad industry at the height of the industrial age has evolved into important activity across more than 90 industry sectors, including aviation, consumer products, and advanced manufacturing.
This is a year filled with celebrations and recognitions of ASTM’s journey to 125 years. Here on this hub, you’ll be able to learn about ASTM’s rich and storied history through our interactive timeline, find and register for upcoming key events, scroll through photos and testimonials from supporting organizations and global partners, and much more. We encourage you to join us at upcoming events, send in your submissions, and help us celebrate.
ASTM International’s history is robust. This year, we’ll be celebrating everywhere that we’ve been while also looking forward to our future – a future full of exciting activity within emerging industries like exoskeletons, automation, commercial spaceflight, robotics, and things we haven’t even dreamed of yet. Despite the unknown, one thing will remain consistent: ASTM’s dedication to helping our world work better. It’s a cornerstone of our last 125 years, and will follow through into our future.
And that is certainly worth celebrating.
Katharine E. Morgan, President
ASTM’s timeline is robust. Interactively follow along with our history, starting in 1898 through today.
Create more memories with us by submitting photo and video contributions and scroll through partner videos, association videos, event photos, and more.
Help us celebrate with commemorative 125 Anniversary apparel and memorabilia.
News and Events
Keep up with all the latest 125th Anniversary news and list of upcoming events.
125th News and Events
“I've been a member of ASTM for over 10 years, and it continues to help me grow as a thought leader for my organization as well as a receptor for industry leading professionals in my area of expertise.”
Anthony Marletta CSP, ARM
Liberty Mutual
Risk Control Region Managing Consultant
"Congratulations ASTM, on 125 years! This milestone is a testament to ASTMs continued leadership, garnering the respect of a multitude of industries across the globe. It has been a pleasure to be a part of the standards development process for such a widely recognized standards organization, that is enriched by the passion and commitment of industry members and ASTM staffers."
Audrey Boutin
Senior Technical Services Engineer
Teck Metals Ltd.
B02.05 Subcommittee Chair
"125 years of positively impacting public health and safety is an amazing accomplishment. The commitment to maintaining positive influence is as strong as ever through initiatives such as the Emerging Professionals program. The Emerging Professionals program gave me a comprehensive introduction to ASTM and its standards development process – providing me the knowledge and confidence to be actively engaged with my committees."
Kyle Flondor
Product Manager, Wallboard
United States Gypsum Company
"Happy 125th anniversary ASTM International! Being a member allowed me to learn more about the standards making process as well as expanded my network. I was able to collaborate with one of our committee members in one of my projects – an opportunity that may not have happened without my participation in the organization."
Mariefel V. Olarte, PhD
Senior Research Chemical Engineer IV
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
"We use ASTM standards, specifications, and journal publications pretty much every day in my research group at the University of Miami. Participating in ASTM committee weeks has been incredibly enriching for me and my Ph.D. students as well. Happy 125th ASTM, and thank you for everything!"
Prannoy Suraneni, PhD
Miami Engineering Career Development Assistant Professor
Civil and Architectural Engineering
University of Miami
"Congratulations to ASTM on its 125th anniversary. By participating in ASTM, I have been provided valuable networking opportunities within my industry. Through working with others on standards I have learned not only about the standard creation process, but also from the heavy technical aspects and acumen that goes into each standard change."
Scott William Wollack
Newlight Technologies, Inc.
"Congratulations ASTM to help the world to become technically reliable and thank you for showing me technology beyond my frontiers."
Victor Rodriguez
Sr. Advanced Engineer
Honeywell Aerospace
"I am a Forensic Chemist whose personal mission is to help improve forensic science through the creation and implementation of standards. The excellent procedural training I received during the in-person ASTM Officer’s Training Workshop in 2018, coupled with the leadership development and consensus process training I received with the Emerging Professionals program in 2020, have been instrumental in my work as a Technical Contact and member of ASTM E30, E30.01, and E30.11. I am also very grateful to ASTM E30 for sponsoring my professional certification through their support of the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) Ed Rhodes Scholarship for 2020. Thank you for a very rewarding working relationship, ASTM; together we are making a difference for our future!"
Dr. Kimberly S. Kunkler, Ph.D., ABC-FD
Assistant Professor of Forensic Chemistry
Marshall University Forensic Science Graduate Program
"Congratulations to ASTM International on its 125th Anniversary. Our fundamental understanding of Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics is intimately tied to the actions of ASTM. Through design challenges and engineering disasters, ASTM workgroups and committees were formed that established the most fundamental equations and theorems needed for fatigue and fracture mechanics. This historical prospective and the records held in standards and STPs tell the story of how engineering challenges can drive new scientific discovery and the "family tree" of ASTM members who worked together to solve problems. As an educator and scientist, I am proud be a member of this organization. Cheers to another 125 years."
Calvin M Stewart
Innovation Scholar and Associate Professor
Director, Materials at Extremes
The Ohio State University
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
"Congratulations to ASTM and its members for reaching another remarkable milestone. To me, ASTM has been a true fountain of professional knowledge since day one of becoming a member 8 years ago. Being a member of the D02, D19, D16 and an alumni of the Emerging Professional Committee has offered an invaluable experience that’s truly enriching. Congrats to ASTM once again and thanks to my fellow members for their mentorship and guidance throughout those years."
Abdullah Alsamraie
New Product Manager
AccuStandard®