It was the summer of 1989. Twenty North Louisiana high school chemistry teachers attended an eight-week summer institute at Louisiana Tech University. Dr. Bill Deese designed and lead the National Science Foundation funded workshop. By chance, this was the same summer that the Robin Williams movie "The Dead Poets Society" was released.
One day, attempting to simulate the behavior of gas molecules, Bill stood on the lecture desk to bounce-juggle lacrosse balls. Just as he hopped up on the table, someone exclaimed, "You've been to see that movie!" From that day on, many references to the Robin Williams character's teaching style were made. Most participants agreed that the movie was inspirational, and it was often discussed how novel approaches and activities might be used to excite students about the amazing world in which they live.
By the end of the summer institiute, The Dead Chemists Society was born. The twenty-one charter members vowed to go their merry ways, spreading the wonder of the chemical world, keeping an attitude and style inspired by the Robin Williams movie. That fall, at the Louisiana Science Teachers Association State Convention, the first Dead Chemists Society Demonstration Program was presented.