February 23, 1905. The airplane had yet to stay aloft more than a few minutes. The first motion picture theater had not yet opened. Norway and Sweden were peacefully terminating their union. On this particular day, a Chicago lawyer, Paul P. Harris, called three friends to a meeting. What he had been thinking and talking about for some time was a club that would kindle fellowship among members of the business community. It was an idea that grew from his desire to find respect for individuals and well being within a group of like minded men. A walk after dinner, watching how a friend was admired by his neighbors made a profound impression on Paul. He wanted to find out if such a condition might happen to a "group" of people. For Five Years Paul thought about this vision, often discussion it with his dear from Silvester Schiele. Then on a cold Thursday night, in February, after one of many pleasant dinners together Paul and Silvester walked across a windy Chicago Street and crossed the river to their mutual friend Gus Loehr's office.
Presided over the first Rotary Convention (1910)…
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