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History

In the early 1900’s, the Polish emigrants in the Chicago area were developing a bustling economy. As their participation in the industrial development within the Chicago area was increasing, a need existed for engineering oriented organizations to assist these hardworking people in meeting and in overcoming new challenges.

While at the present time providing educational guidance for young people is a pressing need, it was even more so in the early 1900’s. Parochial and public school graduates at both the elementary and high school levels usually could not turn to their parents for advice on the ways to acquire a technical education. These graduates had to rely on their own efforts or at best on advice from their teachers.

In the city of Chicago’s rapidly expanding industrial climate, the needs of the small industrial establishments who were trying to grow and to develop into useful ventures had to be met. These small industrial concerns did not have any engineering advice available to assist them in their business ventures.

During these times, the legal, medical and religious professions were reasonably well organized and provided guidance for the youth interested in these disciplines. Technically oriented organizations did not exist. The Polish press presented infrequent but accurate accounts on the accomplishments of the master builder, Ralph Modjeski. They also shared with their readers the achievements of other engineers of Polish descent who settled in America. These well written but infrequent references served to inspire youths of Polish descent to seek an engineering training and to make engineering their life’s work.

Engineers of Polish descent mainly lived outside of the Polish ethnic areas and had little if any, contact with each other. More important, there was a lack of communication between these engineers and the youth aspiring to obtain an engineering education. One can well understand the difficulties facing a typical eighteen-year old and the bewilderment that arose when the student entered a technical institute’s environment.

The first technical society in the Chicago area serving the needs of the Polish-American Community was the POLITECHNIK. This organization was formed in 1920 by a group of students of Polish descent who were attending the Armour Institute of Technology, today the Illinois Institute of Technology.

The goals of the POLITECHNIK were: to stimulate friendly ties among students; to assist the new students in acclimating themselves to the technical institute environment; to help new students plan their studies; and to help them to avoid pitfalls common to any technical institution. The senior members of the society took particular care and interest in the freshmen during this critical period of adjustment.

The POLITECHNIK also served the Polish-American Community with its participation in the traditional Third of May celebrations. Through the courtesy of the Chicago Bridge Depart-ment and some local manufacturers, the POLITECHNIK exhibited bridge models, models of mechanical construction equipment, and architectural perspectives of bridges, industrial structures and office buildings.

It was during these exhibits that many high school students of Polish descent began to feel a need for and a desire to obtain an engineering education. On an individual basis, meetings with interested students were arranged and they were encouraged to seek an engineering education at the Armour Institute of Technology. If the students did not have the necessary back-ground or an interest in engineering, then these students were directed towards the technical trade schools.

In the early 1930’s the Polish Press in Chicago reported on the activities of professional engineers of Polish descent in Detroit. These reports attracted attention of civic-minded Polish American engineers and the idea germinated in Detroit bore fruit in Chicago.

The formation of this new engineering organization in Chicago was due to the inspired efforts of Professor J. Kozaczka from Lewis Institute, W. Kosicki, acting president of the Polish Engineers Society of Detroit, and F. Nurczyk, who was the founder and General Manager of the Polish American Businessmen Association.

The first meeting of the interested engineers was held on September 22, 1934. The meet-ing agenda was to explore and to examine in detail the following points: to determine the feasibility of forming an association of engineers of Polish descent; to generate ideas that could have an impact on civic affairs; to assist small and struggling engineering ventures; to provide technical assistance and guidance to various craftsmen; and to awaken the youth of Polish descent to opportunities in the engineering professions.

These goals were similar to the goals of the Polish American Businessmen’s Association and were accepted by the assembled engineers. At this first meeting the assembled engineers elected the following: Professor J. Kozaczka, President; F. Nurczyk, Vice President; and S. Pawlowski, Secretary-Treasurer. To bring this new organization (as yet without a formal name) to the attention of Polish American engineers in the Chicago area, a publicity campaign was launched in the Polish press. The publicity brought good response and the nucleus of the engineering association was formed.

As with all new organizations, a name had to be chosen; goals had to be defined; a Constitution and By-Laws had to be written, and had to be presented for adoption by the members. The assembled engineers elected E. Pawlowski and F. E. Wolosewick to draft a Constitution and to perform all duties associated with their elected function. The final draft of the Constitution and the formal name of the Association as the POLISH AMERICAN ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION (PAEA) was approved and adopted in the early part of 1935. Many of the senior members of the POLITECHNIK became founders of or became early members of the POLISH AMERICAN ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION (PAEA). Those early members, who have all passed away, included: A. Banas, L Dusberger, T. Mucha, F. Murczyk and F. E. Wolosewick.

The Constitution that was drafted and approved in 1935 remained in force until December 1951. At this time, the impact of World War II created a new set of problems and a constitutional revision was necessary. The revised Constitution and By-Laws were adopted by the PAEA membership in the early part of 1952. With the passage of time, additional revisions to the Constitution and to the By-Laws were necessary.

From its inception, PAEA engaged in educational programs to inspire the American youth of Polish descent to strive for an engineering education. Between 1940 and 1950, radio programs on various engineering topics were delivered by PAEA members. These radio broadcasts on radio station WGES were made possible through the courtesy of the Polish Amer-ican Businessmen’s Association who relinquished portion of their program time.

In the difficult years following the depression, and in the changing environments of the 1935 era, PAEA conducted a guidance and an employment center to provide direction to American youth of Polish descent. But of a far greater significance was the impact that PAEA exerted in guiding students towards the various engineering disciplines. No formal records of these contacts with the students who sought PAEA’s advice were kept. It suffices to say that many students who were assisted by PAEA did complete their formal education at technical institutions. These young men attained positions in the industry, in the armed forces, in the educational field, and some became successful entrepreneurs.

Another field of PAEA activity was to advise inventors of the feasibility of their inventions; suggest improvements that could be incorporated into the invention; and to advise these inventors of similar patents. When inventions seemed to be unique, the inventors were given guidance on contacting patent attorneys who would process their inventions.

Although PAEA was never involved in formal educational programs, after World War II members were frequently asked to acquaint expatriated Polish engineers with American design techniques. Generally these meetings were conducted on one-on-one basis. After several concentrated problem-solving sessions, the newly emigrated Polish engineers became knowledgeable and well acquainted with design techniques used in the United States. They could now apply this knowledge and use these techniques to perform their duties in engineering design offices.

Throughout its entire history, PAEA has made every effort to make the monthly meetings interesting. Outside speakers were invited to present lectures on various technical and non-technical topics. Members are encouraged to give presentations based upon their areas of specialization or on problems arising in their industries. During the past 68 years, over three hundred lectures were given for the membership. It is of particular interest to note that some of these presentations were based on original investigations of the members.

Among our most notable invited speakers were Commanders of the Chicago District Corps of Engineers office, local university professors, representatives from City of Chicago, various federal and state governmental agencies, representatives from the General Consulate of Poland, Sweden and France, Illinois Supreme Court and private industry. To provide more time for technical discussions and for social functions, the PAEA business meetings are usually very brief.

Although PAEA does not maintain a formal employment service, information on job opportunities occur frequently during the professional activity of its members. During the meetings such information is freely exchanged, and those members wishing to change their position would be guided and instructed on the procedures to be followed.

To honor the outstanding accomplishments of Ralph Modjeski, in 1992 the PAEA established the Ralph Modjeski Scholarship Fund. Each year, the Association tries to award two $500 scholarships to engineering students of Polish descent. This scholarship fund is maintained by voluntary contributions as well as from the proceeds of this dinner dance.

Throughout its existence, PAEA has organized a series of formal and informal social gatherings to permit members to become better acquainted with each other. Formal dances were held and were well attended by the invited public. Supplementing the major social functions are the annual Christmas parties for the children of the members. In the summer, a picnic was been held at a resort in northern Illinois.