Meetings of ASXRED, CSA, and ACA (1941–1957)

The early history of crystallographic gatherings in North America is rooted in the parallel activities of three pioneering organizations: the American Society for X-Ray and Electron Diffraction (ASXRED), the Crystallographic Society of America (CSA), and, later, the American Crystallographic Association (ACA). Between 1941 and 1957, these groups shaped the foundations of today’s crystallographic community—organizing scientific meetings that brought researchers together at a time of rapid advancements in diffraction methods, instrumentation, and structural science. This era reflects an important period of collaboration and transition, culminating in the merger of ASXRED and CSA and the birth of the ACA. The meetings held during these formative years not only helped define the discipline but also established many of the traditions that continue to guide ACA gatherings today.