History of the NSI

History of the National Society of Inventors

January 1976 - The National Society of Inventors is founded by co-founders Carmen Vitale and his friend William "Bill" Smeyers. The club's first meeting is held at the former Howard Johnsons restaurant that was located on Central Ave in Clark, NJ.

January 12, 1988 - NSI adopts Constitution and By-laws that remain unchanged for the next 25 years.

The NSI is meeting at the American Legion Hall in Clark, NJ.

April, 2005 - Following a meeting rent increase at the American Legion, the NSI begins meeting at the Huck Finn Diner in Union, NJ.

July 11, 2006 - Meeting at the Diner does not work out, and the NSI begins meeting at Domanis Restaurant in Roselle Park, NJ.

September 2007 - The NSI moves its meetings to Molly Mcguires Irish Pub and Restaurant in Clark, NJ.

January 2008 - The NSI moves its meetings to Solar do Minho Restaurant in Roselle Park, NJ.

July 2008 - NSI moves its meeting location to its current location at Costas Restaurant in Roselle Park, NJ

November 17, 2009 - A fire on this date, in the building of Costas Restaurant, forces the NSI to temporarily find a new location again.

December 2009 - The NSI now is meeting at the Windsor Diner in Clark, NJ.

2010 - Renovations have been completed and the NSI is meeting back at Costas Restaurant in Roselle Park, NJ

September 2012 - Richard Alpert sets up and hosts the 1st NSI Wiki, for the exclusive use of the NSI Executive Board (consisting of 8 members), using the application TWiki.

November 27, 2012 - NSI conducts its first Board meeting over the Internet, using Google Hangouts, with five Board members attending.

April 2013 - Jim Burrell transfers ownership of his website, Nationalinventors.com, to the NSI, and President Stephen Shaw begins moving the club's website to this domain name where it is setup and run using Drupal version 7.

If anyone can add to this history (especially the club's 1st two decades), or has any historical club documents, please contact us.

Presidents of the NSI (term)

1) Carmen Vitale (co-founder)(Jan 1976 to mid 1980s)

2) Professor Dr. Frank Sowa (~mid to late 1980s - at least till 1987)

3) James "Jim" Blow (late 1980s to )

4) Carmen Vitale (?)

5) Professor Lawrence Schmerzler (~1990)

6) Professor John Gilmour (~1991)

7) Carl DeFranco (1992)

8) Sheila Kalisher (1994)

9) Joel Petrocy (1996)

10) Jim Burrell (~1998)

11) Stephen Shaw (January 2007 - present)