
1882
1st Basketball Game
The first basketball game was played in Springfield, MA.

1884
1st U.S. Squash Match
The first U.S. squash match was played in Concord, NH, at St. Paul's School.

1885
First Maple Lumbered
The first stumpage stand of northern hard maple was lumbered into flooring.

1890
Maple & Birch Sell for $4
Surface clear maple and birch logs of 12 inches in diameter were sold for $4.00 per thousand feet.

1891
William Horner First in Hardwood Flooring
William Horner became the first manufacturer of northern hardwood flooring.

1895
Maple End Matching
Maple end matching was introduced into the flooring industry.

1896
1st Volleyball Game
William G. Morgan, a 25 year old gym teacher, invented the game of volleyball at the YMCA in Holyoke, MA.

1897
MFMA Founded
MFMA was established to enforce uniform grades and standards of products for the flooring industry.
Dr. Earle 1st MFMA President
Dr. George Washington Earle was elected the first President of the Board of Directors for MFMA (term 1897 - 1911).

1900
Single Pass Flooring Machine
The first single-pass flooring machine was designed.

1905
MFMA Grading Inspections
MFMA began mill grading inspections.

1906
NCAA Established
The NCAA was founded in 1906 to protect young people from the dangerous and exploitive athletic practices of the time.

1911
MFMA Architect Literature
MFMA began publishing descriptive literature for architects.

1912
Standard Grading Marking
MFMA establishes supervision of grades and millwork at flooring mills.

1916
Yawkey-Bissell Incorporated
The Yawkey-Bissell Lumber Company was incorporated by W.H. Bissell (President), W.W. Gamble, Sr. (Vice President/GM), A.P. Woodsen (Secretary) and C.C. Yawkey (Treasurer) and purchased 25,000 acres of hardwood and hemlock timber land in Langlade County, Wisconsin.

1917
Horner Flooring Co.
Horner Flooring Co. joined the MFMA.
Print Advertising
MFMA began printed space advertising and called on architects and contractors.

1920
Mills Convert to All-Electric Production
Hardwood flooring mills converted from steam powered belt driven machinery to all-electric production.

1926
Headquarters Moved to Chicago
MFMA Headquarters offices moved to the McCormick Building in Chicago, IL.
Landmark Anti-trust Lawsuit
MFMA won a landmark federal anti-trust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice. The lawsuit addressed the sharing of historical industry data.
James Thomas
James Thomas was elected MFMA President (term 1926 - 1931).

1927
Selected Brown Grade
Selected Brown Grade was introduced into the flooring market.

1929
Stains Not Practical for Maple
MFMA promoted staining maple in print ads. However, due to changes in the chemical formula of staining products, wood stains do not take well to solid maple and proper techniques were not developed, until recently. Today, stains are often used to outline details or highlight specific areas within maple sport floors and are commonly used for decorative and design purposes in commercial and residential applications.

1932
Arthur Wells
MFMA elected Arthur Wells as President (term 1932 - 1947).

1940
MFMA Grading Standards
MFMA Grading Standards were established and adopted by members.

1946
Tongue & Groove Face Machine
The one stop tongue and groove/face machine was invented.

1947
Walter Abendroth MFMA President
Walter Abendroth was elected MFMA President (term 1947 - 1952).
MFMA 50th Anniversary
MFMA celebrated its 50th anniversary and members hit production of 4 billion feet of maple beech and birch since 1897.

1948
MFMA Headquarters Moves to Oshkosh, WI
MFMA Headquarters offices moved to Oshkosh, WI.

1949
First Racquetball Game
The first racquetball game was played in Bridgeport, CT.
NBA Established
In the summer of 1949 the six surviving NBL teams were absorbed into the BAA and the league was renamed to the National Basketball Association (NBA).

1950
Linoleum & Carpet Introduced to Market
Linoleum and carpet were introduced as flooring alternatives.
The Baby Boom
The end of WWII brought a need for more schools and gym floors due to the Baby Boom and suburban sprawl.
MFMA Headquarters Move to Chicago
MFMA Headquarters offices moved to Chicago, IL.

1951
Sport Floor Systems Developed
Sport floor "systems" were developed including cushioned systems and rubber pads.

1952
Sport Floor Systems Techniques Developed
End-to-end systems, cushioned underfloors, channel-and-clip techniques were developed into the sports floor market.
Donald DeWitt MFMA President
Donald DeWitt was elected MFMA President (term 1952 - 1957).

1953
Nailing Groove Added
A nailing groove was added to strip flooring and became an industry standard.

1955
Powernail Patented
The first patents were issued to Powernail, reducing time and costs for hardwood flooring installations.

1956
Rubber-Cushioned Subfloor
Rubber-cushioned plywood subfloor were developed.

1957
William W. Gamble President
William W. Gamble was elected President of MFMA (term 1957 - 1961).

1960
Connor Sports Flooring
Connor Sports Flooring joined the MFMA
Rider Sander Patented
Richard Baseman, Sr., received a patent for the first functional "rider sander."

1961
Samuel Wells
Samuel Wells was elected President of MFMA (term 1961 - 1965).

1962
Synthetic Gym Floors
In the 1960s synthetic gym floors were introduced as sports floors.
Mechanically Fastened Systems
Sleeper and padded plywood systems were refined into mechanically fastened systems.

1964
MFMA Summer Meeting
MFMA held the 1964 Summer Board of Directors Meeting on Mackinac Island, MI.

1965
Carl Abendroth
Carl Abendroth was elected MFMA President (term 1965 - 1970).
MFMA Offices Move to Oshkosh, WI
MFMA Headquarters offices moved to Oshkosh, WI.

1967
Wood & Synthetic Flooring Institute
The Wood and Synthetic Flooring Institute (WSFI) was founded from a group of contractors previously regarded as the Wood Flooring Guild, then the Wood Flooring Institute.

1969
Cost of Floor Maintenance
The cost of floor maintenance of a MFMA maple floor was $0.07 per square foot per year.

1970
Portable Sports Floors
In the 1970s portable sports floors became common in many arenas.

1971
Products Introduced to Market
In the 1970s many products such as sheet goods, poured urethane, synthetic grass and carpet were introduced as sports flooring products. MFMA countered this trend with an advertising campaign addressing safety.
John Hamar President
John Hamar was elected MFMA President (term 1971 - 1975).

1972
Finish and Sealers Included on Finish List
MFMA develops finish and sealer test procedures for inclusion on the MFMA Finish List.

1976
William W. Gamble III
William W. Gamble III was elected President of MFMA (term 1976 - 1980).

1977
Robbins Inc.
Robbins Inc. joined the MFMA.
Finish Specifications
MFMA revised finish specifications for floor products.
MFMA Offices Move
In 1977 the MFMA Headquarters offices moved to Glenview, IL.

1979
1st Installation School
MFMA and NOFMA sponsored the first Wood Flooring Installation School.
MFMA Offices Move
The MFMA Headquarters offices move to Chicago, IL, and stay downtown until 1985.

1980
Dept of Agriculture Forestry Div
In the 1980s the Department of Agriculture Forestry Division sponsors trade missions abroad and MFMA begins to establish global recognition.

1981
Allen Harris
Allen Harris was elected MFMA President (term 1981 - 1989).

1982
Dance Athlete
MFMA began to address the specific needs of the "dance athlete" and develops unique flooring systems.
MFMA Finish List
85 floor finishes were included on the MFMA approved finish list.

1985
MFMA Offices Move
MFMA Headquarters offices moved to Northbrook, IL.

1988
Sport Floor Injury Study
A sport floor injury study was commissioned by the MFMA.

1989
Action Floor Systems LLC
Action Floor Systems LLC joined the MFMA.

1990
MFMA Marketing Dues
MFMA began to direct funds toward marketing based on dues paid on the square footage of flooring sold by Mill Manufacturer Members.
James H. Stoehr, Jr.
James H. Stoehr, Jr., was elected MFMA President (term 1990 - 1999).

1991
DIN Testing
DIN testing criteria was recognized by MFMA.
MFMA "The Sports Flooring Authority"
MFMA was accepted as "the sports flooring authority" by the architectural community.

1993
Life Cycle Study
MFMA commissioned a study to determine the life cycle costs for sports flooring.
1st Annual MFMA Conference
MFMA hosted the 1st Annual MFMA Conference for members in Phoenix, AZ.

1994
MFMA Absorbs WSFI
The MFMA absorbed the Wood & Synthetic Flooring Institute association and its members.
AIA Expo
MFMA exhibited for the first time at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Exposition.

1995
MFMA Adds Assistant Director
Daniel Heney became MFMA Assistant Director working with the Technical Committee, conducting floor inspections and answering technical phone calls.

1996
MFMA 3rd Annual Conference
MFMA holds 3rd Annual Conference in Palm Springs, CA.

1997
MFMA 100 Years Old
MFMA celebrated 100 year anniversary.

1998
MFMA 5th Annual Convention
MFMA held 5th Annual Convention in Orlando, FL.

1999
Aacer Flooring
Aacer Flooring joined the MFMA.
MFMA 6th Annual Conference
MFMA held 6th Annual Conference in Palm Springs, CA.
Douglas Hamar
Douglas Hamar was elected MFMA President (term 1999 - 2003).

2000
MFMA 7th Annual Conference
MFMA held 7th Annual Conference in St. Petersburg, FL.

2001
MFMA 8th Annual Conference
MFMA held 8th Annual Conference in Huntington Beach, CA.
Finger Jointed and Parquet Become Official
Finger jointed and parquet became official MFMA products and MFMA Grading Rules were developed for each.

2002
MFMA Hall of Fame
MFMA inducts the Inaugural Class for the Hall of Fame and inductee plaques are presented to mill representatives. Class inductees include; Albert H. Abendroth, Walter C. Abendroth, Charles H. Anderson, Otto Berk, Morley Foster, Sam Horner and William Horner.
MFMA 9th Annual Conference
MFMA held 9th Annual Conference in Miami Beach, FL.

2003
MFMA 10th Annual Meeting
MFMA held 10th Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX.
Floyd Shelton
Floyd Shelton was elected MFMA President (term 2003 - 2006).

2004
MFMA 11th Annual Conference
MFMA held 11th Annual Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.

2005
Heather Gagnon Currier Joins MFMA Staff
Heather Gagnon Currier joined the MFMA staff as Marketing Communications Director.

2006
MFMA Board of Directors
MFMA Board of Directors photo taken at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, FL.
MFMA 2006 Conference
MFMA held conference in Fort Myers, FL, and moves conference from annual to biennial format.
Thomas Abendroth
Thomas Abendroth was elected MFMA President (term 2006 - 2009).

2007
WD Flooring
WD Flooring joined the MFMA.

2008
MFMA 2008 Conference
MFMA 2008 Conference held in San Diego, CA.
MFMA Contributes to the Hardwood Federation
The Hardwood Federation is an industry trade association, representing U.S. hardwood businesses and acting as the industry's advocacy voice on Capitol Hill.
Daniel Heney Becomes Executive Director
Daniel F. Heney was promoted to MFMA Executive Director.
MFMA Offices Move
MFMA Headquarter offices move to Deerfield, IL.

2009
MFMA Wins Green Decade Honor
MFMA was awarded the Building of America Green Decade Plaque of Honor 2000 - 2009.
James Stoehr, III
James Stoehr, III was elected MFMA President (term 2009 - 2011).

2010
PUR Standards
MFMA PUR Standards were introduced to the market and architectural community.
MFMA 2010 Conference
MFMA held 2010 Conference in Destin, FL.

2012
Jon Isaacs
MFMA elected Jon Isaacs as President (term 2012 - 2014).
MFMA 2012 Conference
MFMA held 2012 conference in Rancho Mirage, CA

2014
MFMA 2014 Conference
MFMA held 2014 Conference in San Antonio, TX

2015
Douglas Hamar
MFMA elected Douglas Hamar as President (term 2015 - 2017)

2016
MFMA 2016 Conference
MFMA held 2016 Conference in Orlando, FL.

2018
MFMA 2018 Conference
MFMA held 2018 Conference in La Jolla, CA.

2019
MFMA Offices Move to Gurnee, Il
MFMA moves Headquarters offices to Gurnee, IL.

2020
Dan Corullo
Dan Corullo of Action Floor Systems becomes President of the MFMA.
MFMA 2020 Conference was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.