| 1916 |
American Radium Society is founded. |
| 1922 |
Dr. Albert Soiland writes letters to 100 prominent members of radiology to propose a conference to establish the American College of Radiology. |
| 1923 |
During the annual meeting of the American Medical Association, 21 radiologists meet and organize the American College of Radiology. Dr. George Pfahler is elected the College’s first president. |
1924
June |
With Dr. Albert Soiland as Executive Secretary, the first assembly and convocation of the College is held in Chicago. The original Constitution and By-laws are adopted. |
| 1935 |
The Constitution and By-laws are rewritten to emphasize the importance of education and economics. ACR membership totals just over 200. |
| 1936 |
The Commission on Education holds its first Conference of Teachers of Clinical Radiology. |
| 1937 |
Inter-Society Committee for Radiology is created to protect the interests of radiology from insurance and the New Deal. The committee includes the ACR, RSNA, ARRS, and the ARS. |
| 1939 |
The Constitution and By-laws are once again edited to reflect changes in the needs of the profession. The objectives of the College are stated: "To establish an organization of radiologists for the purpose of advancing the science of radiology and improving radiological service to the sick by means of the study of the economic aspects of the practice of radiology, and the encouragement of improved educational facilities for radiologists." |
| 1939 |
The new Constitution allows for two classes for eligible members, Membership and Fellowship. |
| 1940 |
ACR chancellors adopt a motion supporting the American war effort. ACR membership totals over 1000. |
| 1941 |
The Constitution and By-laws are revised again to allow the appointment of state councilors. The College offers liability insurance to its members. The US enters World War II and the Board votes to waive the dues for any radiologist on active duty. |
1942
June |
At the annual meeting of the Board, the College creates the Committee on Radiologic Units Standards and Protection. The monthly Bulletin is also started this year. |
| 1944 |
ACR recognizes and addresses the need for widespread screening for tuberculosis and the limited number of qualified radiologists. |
| 1945 |
ACR leads the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Roentgen’s discovery of the x-ray. |
| 1946 |
The founder of the College, Albert Soiland, dies on a visit to his native country, Norway. Changes in the Constitution allow for associate fellowships in physics. The College holds a special convocation at the second InterAmerican Congress of Radiology in Havana, Cuba. |
| 1950 |
The College has nine commissions. The College leads the fight for standardized nomenclature to determine which radiology procedures are standard for treatment covered by Blue Cross insurance. Membership grows to 2,542. |
| 1954 |
The headquarters move to the Chicago Civic Opera House. |
| 1955 |
The College continues to push for insurance coverage, and by 1956 more than 20 Blue Cross plans offer coverage for radiation therapy. |
| 1956 |
George Pfahler, the College’s first president, dies. |
| 1957 |
The College develops its first relative value scale for radiology services. |
| 1958 |
The ACR Foundation is created. |
| 1963 |
The Board of Chancellors formerly approves charters for state chapters and approves the Council as the College’s delegate assembly. |
| 1965 |
Medicare is instituted. |
| 1968 |
Public Law 90-602 establishes standards for all x-ray-generating devices. At the annual meeting in June, the Board of Chancellors surrenders its policy-making role to the Council. |
| 1969 |
The College opens the Washington, D.C. office. |
| 1970 |
The College’s continued efforts (from the 1960s) at recognition for radiologists in Medicare give radiologists essentially the same rights under the plan as other physicians. The College becomes involved with Nixon's "war against cancer." |
| 1971 |
CT scanners help open the doors for computer aided imaging. The College takes over management of the ARRS annual meeting. Radiology pioneer and College founder, Benjamin Orndoff dies. |
| 1973 |
The College announces that there are enough radiologists practicing to remove endorsement for physician owned and used ultrasound and x-ray systems. The College successfully persuades Medicare to pay for diagnostic ultrasound exams. |
| 1976 |
The College issues its first series of guidelines for mammography screening. |
| 1978 |
The ACR Foundation donates more than 300 pieces of historical radiology equipment to the Smithsonian Institution. The first radiology summit is held in Colorado Springs, Colorado in August. |
| 1981 |
The former executive secretary and executive director, Bill Stronach, dies. |
| 1982 |
The Board of Chancellors and the Council vote to move the headquarters to Washington, D.C. |
| 1983 |
The College reports that 80 percent, or 13,817, of the living American Board of Radiology diplomats are members of the College. |
| 1984 |
The College sponsors the International Congress of Radiology in Honolulu, Hawaii. |
| 1986 |
The College moves to its new headquarters in Reston, Virginia. |
| 1988 |
Influenced by the College, Congress passes the Medicare catastrophic benefits bill that includes biennial screening mammography as a new benefit. |
| 1989 |
The College begins collecting data for an experience-based relative value schedule. |
| 1990 |
A survey by the College estimates that Americans receive between 275 and 350 million medical imaging procedures this year. Teleradiology becomes a viable and efficient resource for radiologists. |
| 1995 |
The College manages the joint effort with nearly 50 societies, 70 suppliers, and 4 public health organizations, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Roentgen’s discovery of the x-ray. The joint effort is called the Radiology Centennial, Inc. The celebration includes a timecapsule, an historical slide series, and a variety of publications. |
| 1996 |
The College reports a total membership of 31,156 and more than 200 employees in the Reston and Philadelphia offices. |
| 1998 |
The College retains the services of The History Factory to formerly preserve, organize, and describe the archives as a legacy to future College members. |
| 1999 |
The College celebrates its 75th anniversary. |