This month, our 75th anniversary celebration for the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) continues with a decade spotlight on the 1970s. The creation of Earth Day marked a new era of environmental regulation, establishing a comprehensive system that required American businesses to assume greater environmental responsibility for their products and operations. The effects of this landmark event were felt throughout the 1970s and set the stage for innovations in the decades to come.
As the industry evolved, so did the association’s identity. In 1970, NFPA elected to shorten its name to Flexible Packaging Association to to better reflect its broader mission and growing influence. Dropping “National” modernized the brand and aligned it with the global scope of the industry, while also making the name more concise and easier to recognize. The updated name reinforced FPA’s position as the leading voice for the flexible packaging sector, committed to advancing innovation, sustainability, and advocacy across the entire packaging value chain.
World Events
- 1970 – The first Earth Day is held in the U.S. on April 22nd, and the first Boeing 747 is introduced into commercial service.
- 1971 – Intel Corporation introduces the first microprocessor.
- 1973 – Oil Crisis.
- 1974 – Richard Nixon resigns from the presidency amid the Watergate scandal.
- 1975 – The Vietnam War ends, and Bill Gates and Paul Allen found Microsoft.
- 1977 – Apple releases the first mass-produced home computer, Apple II.
- 1979 – Egypt and Israel sign a formal treaty ending 30 years of hostility.
FPA Milestones
1970s – The Association forms the Environmental Concerns Committee. Under the direction of NFPA’s Executive Vice President, Ralph March, steps are taken to notify the government of the potential ramifications of shortages.
1970 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is created with the mandate to set and enforce standards for air and water quality, while working to reduce noise pollution, radiation hazards, and exposure to pesticides and other potentially toxic substances.
1970 – NFPA becomes the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) to better reflect the organization’s evolving mission and the broader scope of its membership and industry focus.
1972 – The “NFPA Statement on Ecology” is declared. Read the full statement here.
1973 – A cut-off of oil shipments from Middle Eastern producers led to a nationwide energy crisis, with visible consequences including gasoline rationing and long lines at service stations. The flexible packaging industry faced similar challenges, as material availability became a concern.
1977 – Pete Merkle resigns as the Association’s Managing Director. Richard Lillquist becomes FPA President.
Want to see more milestones and industry innovations from the 1970s? Check out our interactive timeline here!
