Nuclear Data Newsletter, No. 57, May 2014

NDS was created in 1964 following advice to the DG from the International Nuclear Data Scientific Working Group (INDSWG). Initially it was called the Nuclear Data Unit with its main objectives to collect, compile and review nuclear data particularly those relevant for the worldwide fission reactor programs. INDSWG met four times with additional recommendations that NDU should organise international meetings, encourage discussion between Nuclear Data producers in various countries and act as a Data Centre. INDSWG changed its name to INDC and has continued to review NDS' work and offer advice and recommendations. NDU became the Nuclear Data Section in 1970 and has continued with its mission to provide accurate fundamental data to Member States and to act as a Coordination Centre for Networks and as a stimulus for data work around the world. Thus in 2014 we are able to celebarate the 50th anniversay of NDS and we will do this by a special session at the start of the 30th INDC meeting on 2nd June. Trying to capture the many achievements arising from its work is difficult. However, we can see both how much things have changed from data on punched cards, magnetic tapes and the huge problems of transferring data between the various Data Centres to today with web servers in the cloud, interactive tools and routine transfer of data. On the other hand our concerns; the coordination of networks, compilation of experimental data, training workshops and the production of high quality authoritative documents have remained the same from our beginnings. To mark this anniversary we are holding a meeting linked to the 30th INDC meeting. The preliminary programme is shown. An indication of some of the notable events over the last 50 years is shown in the timeline