This is Throwback Thursday #274. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks! email:esconi.info@gmail.com.

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Back in Throwback Thursday #254, we looked at a member survey conducted in May 1959.  In that post, there was a breakdown of where member lived by city and state.  We had 326 members in 1959.  For this post, we’ll highlight the interests and professions of member in 1959, followed by a post for members in 2024.  In 1959, ESCONI’s Chairman was Wilbur Hoff.

The dominant professions were engineers, homemakers, teachers, and students. The prominence of engineers is understandable, considering ESCONI’s partial genesis from Western Electric’s Hawthorne Works in Cicero, IL. Teachers also held a predictably high count. However, the unique presence of “Director Mosquito Abatement” is odd.  And. “Housewives” in the top ranks provides intriguing insight into the social dynamics prevalent in the 1950s.

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

In the May issue of “The Earth Science News” I gave the first part of the summary of the survey sheets that led to the fine directory of ESCONI members. This will be Part II of the report, listing the professions and skills of the people who all con-tribute to make this one of the finest geology clubs in the United States.

The list below is not complete because several did not turn in their survey sheets. and some made no listings. You will note in the directory that many members listed their special interests and that some did not. have at hand the summation of their various interests is also published for your in-However, from the data we formation. Some of you may check this and come up with a few errors and others may accept the data as being representative. You will note that a large number of mem-bers have multiple interests in Earth Science.

INTERESTS

Archaeology	42
Astronomy	25
Economic Geology	20
General Geology	82
Historical Geology	47

LAPIDARY

Cabochons	65
Faceting	9
Jewelry Making	2
Tumble Polish	5
Polished Slabs	45

MINERALOGY

Crystals	47
Fluorescent	24
General	33
Micromounts	8
Radioactivity	13
Other	1

PALEONTOLOGY

Fauna	71
Flora	63

LIST OF SKILLS AND PROFESSIONS

Accountants	1
Artists	3
Botanists	2
Business Methods	1
Carpenters	2
Chemists	3
Clerk	1
Communication	4
Contractors – Building	2
Contractors – Electrical	7
Director Mosquito Abatement	1
Doctor	1
Educators (Teachers)	19
Engineering	22
Engineering – Chemical	2
Engineering – Civil	1
Engineering – Electrical	6
Engineering – Flight	1
Engineering – Home	5
Engineering – Industrial	2
Engineering – Mechanical	1
Engineering – Photo	1
Engineering – Research	1
Engineering – Tool	2
Foreman	1
Housewives	20
Industrial Locksmiths	1
Inspector	1
Laboratory Technician	1
Lawyer	1
Machinist	1
Map Publication	1
Merchandising	1
Ministers	2
No skills	2
Nurses	2
Office Work	3
Plumbers	2
Postal Transportation	2
Printers	3
Psychiatric Aid	1
Publishing	1
Retired	7
Secretaries	2
Stenographers	1
Students	14
Supervisors	5
Switchmen	1
Telephone Repair	1
Tool Designer	1
Traffic Manager	1
Transportation	2
Truck Drivers	2