Albany Society of Engineers
OUR
102ND YEAR
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Albany Society of Engineers
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History Background An organization known as the Albany Society of Civil Engineers first met in January 1906. The group formed was for “mutual intercourse for the purpose of acquiring knowledge by reports; discussion, and individual exchange of notes, and bringing into close relationship Civil Engineers and others of kindred professions”. The group included engineers involved in the design and construction of the present Barge Canal System and from the New York State Water Power and Storage Commission, as well as a professor from R.P.I. and an engineer from the City of Albany. The first president was William P Creager, who later became a nationally known authority on earth dams. The founders of the Society all
had a strong interest in water related subjects; the Barge Canal System, the
development of hydroelectric power, water conservation and water storage.
Through their Society contacts they collaborated in producing much
original hydraulic data on stream flows, and from that data hydroelectric power
and water supply sites were identified along with water to operate the canal
system. Important parts of this
data were published on the Deeper Hudson Project. In 1923 the Society name was changed to the Albany
Society of Engineers, reflecting the increased interest in the organization by
engineers trained in fields other than civil engineering.
At the same time the Society broadened its program coverage to include
the great variety subjects of interest to the technical community in the area
and the most recent advances in these subjects.
This emphasis continues today, with the annual program of the society
reflecting a wide rage of technical subject areas. With the broadening of Society’s area of interest, the membership changed as well. At one time about two-thirds of the members were from the electrical and telephone companies operating in the area, and the service manager from Armory Garage was among the members for a period. More recently there has been an increase in interest among those in the transportation engineering industry and a growth in membership from that sector. In the 1920’s the society sponsored and promoted the Engineering Licensure Law in New York State. The licensing law required the licensure and registration by the State Education Department of engineering professionals, except those working in industry, for protection of the public against unqualified practitioners. In turn, this effort led to the formation of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, a part of the National Society of Professional Engineers. More recently, the Society has moved to an emphasis on education, supporting both financially and with physical help programs intended to promote technical careers among school children. Geographic Area of Interest The Albany Society of Engineers is centered in New York's Capital District and includes the counties in the area encompassed on the map of New York State.
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