The origin and early evolution of ISSOL

Abstract

This is a discussion of the beginnings of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life (ISSOL) -- how it came to be and the people responsible for it. It will include the early meetings on the subject of the Origin of Life which led to the formation of the Society. It will discuss the genesis of the interest of NASA in such a program and how the Exobiology Program got started, leading up to the Viking Program and the early exploration of Mars. Photographs of early meetings and the scientists involved will be included.