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A Brief History of the Southern California Component of
the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists
 The Society grew out of a distinguished Angle School alumni organization begun in 1922. Their initial focus was to build the Angle College of Orthodontia, which was completed in 1923 and located just west of Angle’s home in Pasadena. This was the world’s first freestanding orthodontic college. The home and college are now private residences.
These alumni met again in Chicago with the East Coast members in November, 1930. This was three months after Angle's death. As charter members, they initiated two things: The Angle Orthodontist and the present Angle Society.
Between 1917 and 1927, Angle trained forty orthodontists in California. Some of the more easily recognized names are Spencer Atkinson, Raymond Begg, Holly Broadbent, Allan Brodie, George Hahn, Harvey Stallard, Cecil Steiner, and Charles Tweed. Angle trained a total of 174 men and nine women in California and three schools in the East. Twenty-five became AAO presidents, eleven orthodontic department heads, and three dental school deans. Few fields have had a leader of Angle’s dominance and lasting influence. Even today, his Edgewise Appliance is still the major orthodontic appliance used worldwide.
The Southern California Component meets regularly twice a year, but in the early days it convened four times annually. The meetings were held in Pasadena until recently.
George Hahn best described the spirit of the Society on the occasion of the 25th anniversary when he spoke of its good fellowship and absence of selfishness, jealousy, and deceit. He praised the opportunity for full and open exchange of knowledge.
The final word comes from Dr. Angle: "There is only one best way." |
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