The history of IRPA--up to the millennium

Since its foundation, the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) has grown to become the international voice of the profession of radiological protection. When it came into being in 1965 the existence of such a profession had only recently been recognised, but already there was seen to be a need for coordination and exchange of information and views internationally. As with all such organisations, the early years and decades were taken up with the development and evolution of the organisation, but there comes a time when, if the history is not documented, it gradually gets lost. Recognising this, the Executive Council (EC) created the role of archivist and historian, and appointed Geoff Webb with a brief to compile the history of IRPA. This article is the result and covers the developments leading up to the formation of IRPA and from then to the year 2000. An expanded version with more names and photographs is available through IRPA.