1944   Cottle begins lectures, surgical demonstrations, and anatomical teaching for Chicago-area otolaryngologists.

1949   Formal courses address the anatomy, physiology, and aesthetic aspects of the nose.

1954   A seven-day course at Johns Hopkins becomes the setting for the preliminary organization of the Society.

1957   The first ARS course at Yale follows the 6th International Congress in Otorhinolaryngology.

1970s   Cottle continues teaching at ARS meetings and postgraduate courses until his death in 1981.

1980s   Rigid nasal endoscopy transforms the diagnosis and treatment of sinonasal disease.

2004   The ARS celebrates its 50th Anniversary in New York and establishes the Annual David W. Kennedy Lectureship.

The early organization was initially referred to as "The Cottle Society." In October 1954, a seven-day course was held at Johns Hopkins Hospital. During that meeting, Dr. Ralph Riggs of Shreveport, Louisiana, announced that preliminary legal steps had been taken to form a society devoted to the investigation, study, and teaching of all medical and surgical phases of rhinology and its associated sciences.

The first officers were elected at this meeting:

Maurice H. Cottle, MD — President

Ralph Riggs, MD — Vice President

Roland Loring, MD — Secretary

George Fisher, MD — Treasurer

Kenneth H. Hinderer, MD — Chairman, By-laws and Organization

Of the 39 charter members, 18 eventually served as presidents of the ARS. Thirty-eight of the 39 would ultimately be awarded the Golden Head Mirror, the Society's highest honor, recognizing meritorious service to rhinology.

The first 30 years of the Society were led by many of these founding members, and many subsequent leaders were mentored by them. Dr. Ralph Riggs, from Shreveport, Louisiana, served as president in 1955. Dr. Fred Stucker, also from Shreveport, served as president in 1992 and subsequently as secretary.

Early nasal reconstructive techniques were increasingly informed by investigations into the physiology of the nasal airway. Historical work included attempts to measure airflow dynamics within the nasal cavity in response to anatomic deviations and disease. Early devices and techniques were used to establish respiratory parameters and to follow outcomes after medical and surgical treatment.

This growing attention to objective assessment reflected the Society's broader interest in understanding not only the appearance of the nose, but also its structure and function.

In the 1980s, rhinology experienced a dramatic rebirth in the United States and abroad through the use of the rigid nasal telescope. Although Hirshman had performed an endoscopic sinonasal examination with a modified cystoscope in 1901, it was not until 1978 that Professor Walter Messerklinger of Graz, Austria, advocated the use of the rigid telescope for sinonasal diagnosis and limited surgery in the treatment of rhinosinusitis.

Dr. David W. Kennedy recognized the key role the telescope would play in the diagnosis and treatment of sinonasal disease and brought this technique to the United States after attending a presentation by Professor Messerklinger in the former Yugoslavia. Dr. Kennedy played a key role in developing and disseminating the technique through teaching and clinical innovation.

His tireless teaching and devotion to rhinology and the ARS were honored at the Society's 50th Anniversary Meeting in September 2004 in New York, where he delivered the first Annual David W. Kennedy Lectureship established in his honor.

Following the introduction and dissemination of endoscopic sinus surgery in the 1980s, the ARS experienced rapid growth, accompanied by an expansion of formal meetings and educational activities. For many years, Society administration was largely handled through the office of the Secretary, initially based in Chicago. During George Facer's tenure as Secretary, the Society's offices moved to Rochester, Minnesota.

In 2000, Marvin Fried served as Secretary and hired Wendi Perez as Administrative Assistant. The Society subsequently became increasingly supported through that administrative office, providing continuity as the organization expanded.

The Society's commitment to education and scientific communication also developed through its relationship with the rhinologic literature. In 1987, under Guy Settipane, Oceanside Publications first published the American Journal of Rhinology. Joel Bernstein became the first otolaryngologist to serve as section editor for abstracts.

In 1989, David Kennedy was invited to become Co-Editor in Chief, and the journal increasingly focused on rhinology and otolaryngology rhinology.

Mandatory submissions began in the late 1990s. The journal subsequently changed its name to the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, while ARS members continued to contribute extensively to the publication. In 2010, a joint relationship with the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy led to the establishment of the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.

1978   First ARS newsletter; publication was intermittent until the 1990s.

1998   Corporate Affiliates Program established under Paul Toffel, later transitioning into the Development Committee and ultimately the Vice Presidencies of Development and Strategic Initiatives.

1998   First Strategic Planning Retreat held in Dallas.

1998–2011   Sinus and Allergy Health Partnership involving the AAO-HNS and AAOA.

2012   Summer Sinus Symposium established.

2014   Executive Vice President position created.

2018   Women in Rhinology becomes a formal ARS Section.

The membership of the ARS has grown rapidly during its more than seven decades of existence. Although the Society continues to study nasal structure and function, much of its present focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of rhinosinusitis and other sinonasal disorders. The specialty has expanded into endoscopic resection of skull base and intracranial lesions.

At the same time, the Society has become a leader in advocating for patients and for the care provided by their physicians in an ever-changing health care environment in the United States. Throughout its history, the Society has remained an organization driven by dedicated physician-scientists who volunteer their time and resources to advance education, research, patient care, and the dissemination of knowledge in rhinology.

From the early Cottle courses to today's multidisciplinary rhinology, skull base surgery, research, advocacy, and education, the American Rhinologic Society continues to build upon a tradition of innovation, teaching, scientific inquiry, and service.