History of SESA/SEM National Meetings

SEM’s rich heritage, and that of the SEM Annual Conference, eminated from the very popular Eastern Photoelasticity Conferences of the 30’s and 40’s. It was at the "17th Semi-annual Eastern Photoelasticity Conference and Experimental Stress Symposium," in 1943, that the need was recognized for a formal organization dedicated to the exchange of information concerning strain gages, brittle coatings and photoelasticity as techniques in the experimental determination of stress. Thus, the Society for Experimental Stress Analysis, now known as the Society for Experimental Mechanics, was formed.

Techniques, as well as the means of communicating their purpose, to other professionals in the field, have changed. However, the SEM Annual Conference has remained the preeminent occasion to become acquainted with others working in our field, and as a source of valued technical interchange and first-hand exposure to the latest products and techniques.

Fifty-six years later, SEM still provides this valuable forum for its members, thanks to the numerous members who volunteer their time and expertise in organizing the technical program and presentations.