The early years of IAQ

While serving as a volunteer leader of ASQ (then the American Society for Quality Control), including as Vice President (1958–1961) and President (1961–1963), Dr. Armand V. “Val” Feigenbaum gained deep insight into the global nature of quality. He saw firsthand its transformative role in revitalizing the post-war economies of Japan and Europe. Feigenbaum became a catalyst in uniting thought leaders from the newly formed European Organization for Quality (EOQ) with the more established ASQ and the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE).

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As the first Chairman of the International Academy for Quality (IAQ), Feigenbaum often emphasized the movement’s origins and key influencers. The idea for an international association came from Dr. Jan van Ettinger, then President of EOQ, while JUSE’s internationally minded leadership — including Dr. Kenichi Koyanagi, recipient of the ASQ Edwards Medal — provided strong support. Feigenbaum also credited early American contributors, such as Dr. Walter Shewhart, whose lectures in the UK influenced Dr. Karl Pearson and later inspired leading Japanese quality thinkers like Yashui Ishida of Toshiba. In his first report on IAQ, Feigenbaum listed other Americans who advanced quality internationally: Professor Paul C. Clifford, Dr. W. Edwards Deming, Dr. Joseph M. Juran, Dr. Sebastian B. Littauer, Dr. Ellis R. Ott, and Dr. William R. Pabst — modestly omitting his own contributions through his role at General Electric in rebuilding European industry.

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In 1966, a “six-man board” was formed to establish what was initially called the International Quality Association. It comprised representatives from ASQ, EOQ, and JUSE to design a global platform for exchanging quality knowledge. Members included Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa and Dr. Masao Kogure (later replaced by Dr. Tetsuichi Asaka) from Japan; Frank Nixon (UK) and George Borel (France) from Europe; and E. Jack Lancaster and Feigenbaum from the US. The group met in New York in June 1966, then in Stockholm, and again in London in 1967, setting 1971 as the formal founding date of the International Academy for Quality (IAQ). Membership expanded to 21 individuals with equal regional representation.

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Early American members included Leon Bass, Charles A. Bicking, C. Eugene Fisher, Julius Y. McClure, and Thomas C. McDermott; Japanese members included Keijiro Inoue, Kotaro Itoh, Masao Kogure, Shigeru Mizuno, and Mamoru Yamaguchi; European members included J. D. N. De-Fremery, Olle Jonson, Walter E. Masing, Umberto Turello, and Agnes H. Zaludova.

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Three leaders — Val Feigenbaum, Kaoru Ishikawa, and Walter E. Masing — were central to IAQ’s founding and were later honored with the IAQ Founders Medal for their exceptional service.

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The original purpose of IAQ was threefold:

1. Address technical challenges in quality collaboratively.

2. Disseminate knowledge widely for the greatest benefit.

3. Promote quality as a vital concept across disciplines, recognizing its decisive role in organizational success.​

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