Originally, when the club was first organized back in 1957, the Toastmaster organization was invited by the New York Traffic Club (a Businessman’s’ Association), to take over their “public speaking” club. At the time, public speaking was one of a number of social activities provided to Association members.
Traffic Toastmasters was organized in 1906 by leaders in the “Traffic” business (ship and railroad companies, US Steel, Standard Oil, American Tobacco etc.), as a means of sharing common interests and exchanging ideas on how to improve services to clients. The traffic business consisted of professionals interested in the movement of products and services primarily by railroad and steamships. They were called “carriers” and “shippers” usually of large amounts of materials vital to the economy and the Country.
Traffic Toastmasters, in the early years, had many powerful members who had contact with very influential people. For example, at the monthly luncheons held at the best hotels in the City, guest speakers were: State Governors, Senators, Mayors, and business leaders from many fields. It is interesting to note that during World War I & II, Traffic Toastmasters members were responsible for the organization and movement of thousands of troop trains and the shipments of supplies and weapons throughout the United States and overseas.
Their office facilities (1922-1980) were always 1st class, with dining rooms, lounges and meeting rooms in places like the old Waldorf Astoria (current site of the Empire State Building), Park Central Hotel, Hotel Biltmore, and on the sixth floor of the Grand Central Station. Our Toastmaster's club had the excellent fortune to hold our meetings in some of these places.
While our club has not been affiliated with the organization of Traffic professionals since 1980 - we are proud of our heritage and therefore retain the name Traffic Toastmasters.
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