Back to Basics – Into the Future
FOCUS 2012. Our 37th anniversary edition. A lot has happened in 37 years. Several of us look a bit older. The paint and coating chemistry has changed significantly, as have ways to apply these amazing materials to 11 million new cars, hundreds of millions of vehicle parts, and in auto repair shops. Raw materials have changed to meet regulations, and major technical challenges. And much more will change in the future. We welcome you to this year's FOCUS event, where we'll take a look back at where we've been, as well as a look ahead to where we're going. Whether a seasoned coatings chemist or a new paint engineer, you'll learn, and find ways to learn more, from our speakers and exhibitors.
And for some perspective, 37 years ago, in 1975:
- Yearly Inflation Rate: 9.2%
- Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Avg.: 858
- Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve: 7.25%
- Average Cost of new house: $39,300
- Average Income per year: $14,100
- Average Monthly Rent: $200
- Cost of a gallon of Gas: 44 cents
- Average cost new car: $4,250
- Bill Gates and Paul Allen create a start up called Microsoft.
- The battle for Video Recorder standards of VHS and Beta starts.
- Crude oil costs $13.00 a barrel.
- … and the Viet Nam war finally ends.
So buckle up, and let's get BACK TO basics and into THE FUTURE.
The DSCT is now on Twitter
Twitter is a great way to get instant updates from colleagues, businesses and industry experts around the world. Now you can receive just-in-time information on FOCUS from The Detroit Society for Coatings Technology on Twitter!
Click our username @DSCT_FOCUS to go to our Twitter page on the web, sign in to your account and click "Follow." It's that easy to ensure you'll receive announcements, information and reminders on FOCUS throughout the year!
