American Iron and Steel Institute

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) is an association of North American steel producers. Its predecessor organizations date back to 1855 making it one of the oldest trade associations in the United States. AISI assumed its present form in 1908, with Elbert H. Gary, chairman of the United States Steel Corporation, as its first president.

Its development was in response to the need for a cooperative agency in the iron and steel industry for collecting and disseminating statistics and information, carrying on investigations, providing a forum for the discussion of problems and advancing the interests of the industry.

AISI describes its aims as follows: To influence public policy, educate and shape public opinion in support of a strong, sustainable U.S. and North American steel industry committed to manufacturing products that meet society's needs.

AISI's predecessor organization, the American Iron Association was established in 1855 by ironmasters, clustered mainly in the Eastern U.S., citing the need for an organization "to take all proper measures for advancing the interests of the trade in all its branches". That year, world pig iron production amounted to 7 million tons.

In 1864, Bessemer steel was first made in the United States, and the association, headquartered in Philadelphia changed its name to the American Iron and Steel Association (AISA).

Early in the 20th century, as the industry grew, its leaders saw the need for an organization to supplement the largely statistical activities carried on by AISA. That led to the founding of the American Iron and Steel Institute in 1908, with Elbert H. Gary as its first chief executive.

From 1908 to 1912, the Institute and the Association functioned side by side. But on January 1, 1913, the Association was merged into the New York-based Institute.

Judge Gary would continue as CEO for 19 years. He was succeeded in 1927 by Charles M. Schwab. During the Roaring '20s, AISI statistics showed that the United States produced 40 percent of the world's supply of iron and steel.

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