At last, we were ready to announce the formation of the Society, but we felt we needed to do it in a public manner with an audience. While we were mulling over this issue, my old friend John Dixon called with the exciting news that Robert Jungk, a celebrated German author and futurist, was coming to Washington. We hastily arranged for Jungk to speak at a luncheon in Blackie’s House of Beef, a large Washington restaurant, and telephoned invitations to everyone we thought might be interested.
And so on October 28, 1966, about two dozen of us gathered for lunch at the restaurant. I welcomed Jungk when he arrived and, feeling rather nervous, pinned a crude name tag on him. Charles Williams, our vice president, acted as master of ceremonies. Tall and serious in manner and speech, Williams commanded instant respect. Furthermore, he represented the august National Science Foundation. Nobody could doubt that we were serious people—not just science-fiction fans or followers of some mystical cult. I was delighted at the way Williams led the meeting, which went very smoothly.
In his speech, Jungk told us that the world’s biggest lack is a lack of foresight. He compared the founding of institutions concerned with future studies to the founding of universities in the fourteenth century.
After Jungk spoke, we announced the formation of the World Future Society and said membership was open to everyone.
And so the Society became a reality. Well, sort of a reality. We were an organization with no members, no employees, no money, and no products or services. Clearly a lot had to be done—and fast—if the Society was not to be anything but a failed dream.
Still, for those of us on the steering committee, the luncheon gave us a wee feeling of triumph.