Records of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) is an American non-profit association for textile and materials industry professionals. Originally established for textile chemists and colorists, the AATCC was founded in 1921 by Louis A. Olney, a professor of chemistry at Lowell Textile School in Lowell, Massachusetts. It was founded in response to the World War I “Dye Crisis”, during which the United States was cut off from its supply of European dyes and the American dye industry struggled to manufacture products of consistent quality. It was also founded in response to a need for American textile test methods.

Initially headquartered at Lowell Textile School, the AATCC grew quickly after its founding and proceeded to make a number of notable contributions to the textile and materials industries. Since 1923, the AATCC has developed and published numerous textile-related standards, including the first four color fastness tests (1923), the flammability test apparatus for synthetic fibers (1946), and evaluation procedures. To recognize excellence by textile and materials industry professionals, it established the Olney Medal (1944) and the Chapin Award (1958). To accommodate its growth and to better serve the changing interests of its membership, the AATCC relocated to its present headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina in 1964.

In addition to textile chemists and colorists in the private business sector, the AATCC’s membership includes, but is not limited to, employees of consumer organizations, state and federal government agencies, and universities. The AATCC also continues to develop and update standard methods of fiber testing and quality control. It is also active in training textile and materials industry professionals in the United States and abroad.

Sources

Records of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.