The High Temperature Polymeric Laminate (HIGH TEMPLE aka High Temple) Workshop was initiated in 1982 by a Tri-Service/NASA steering group composed of the following members: John Rhodehamel, AFWAL/MLSE; Jim Koury, AFRPL/MKAT; Terry St.  Clair, NASA/Langley Research Center; Tito Serafini, NASA Lewis Research Center; Richard Thompson, U. S.  Army Missile Command; and Charles Blackman, Naval Surface Weapons Center.  The 1st High Temple Workshop was administered by Ken Clayton, University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI).  Workshop 1 was co-sponsored by the JANNAF Structures and Mechanical Behavior and Propulsion Costs Subcommittees and hosted by the NASA/White Sands Test Facility, New Mexico, on 24-28 May 1982.  The purpose of the workshop was to determine the state of development of high temperature polymeric composites and to establish an understanding of future technology needs and service requirements.  Emphasis was placed on basic polymer chemistry, materials development, and materials applications.  Presentation material was documented in Chemical Propulsion Information Agency (CPIA) Publication 358, dated June 1982. 

The success of the initial workshop led to a 2nd Workshop hosted by UDRI and held at the Dayton Mall Holidome, Dayton, Ohio, on 7-9 December 1982. Emphasis was on the processibility and producibility of high temperature polymeric composites from both a lamination and filament-wound approach. Presentation material was documented in AFWAL/MLSE Report AFWAL-TR-83-4026, dated February 1983.

The 3rd Workshop was hosted by UDRI and held at the Dayton Mall Holidome on 26-28 October 1983. Emphasis was focused on the art and science of testing and evaluating polymeric composites that are designed to be used in a temperature range of 600°F to 1,400°F. Extensive discussions covered the topical areas of requirements, material system usage criteria, candidate screening tests, structural element and full-scale verification test methods, physical and mechanical properties test methods, chemical characterization, and material system acceptance criteria. Presentation material was documented in AFWAL/MLSE Report AFWAL-TR-84-4027, dated March 1984.

Workshops 4-26 were general topic workshops covering the area of design, development, testing, and application of high temperature reinforced polymeric composites. Presentation materials were published during the workshops for distribution to all attendees.

The first effort to provide the high temperature composites community with the accumulated data from the High Temple Workshops began in 1996 when a High Temple Task Group led by Beth Kinman and Ray Adsit with members Glenn Anderson, Michael Brunner, Mike Holl, Lew Lineberger, Wanda Sigur, Brian Wilson and Bob Acree published a list of keywords associated with the presentations previously presented at High Temple Workshops. In 1997, Jeff Guthrie provided a briefing at the 17th High Temple Workshop outlining a program for AMMTIAC to develop a web-based searchable database containing all the briefings from the High Temple Workshops. This program was funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/MLSA, AFRL/MLBC and AFRL/VTSC) and NASA Glenn Research Center. The AMMTIAC web-based searchable database became reality in 1999 and included an updated keyword library based on the original keyword list originated by the High Temple Task Force. This web-based database has been continuously updated after each High Temple Workshop since inception in 1999 and is located at http://namis.alionscience.com. The website is currently maintained by Jeff Guthrie and Tamara Grossman from Alion Science with funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory.

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/MLSA) helped sponsor High Temple Workshops 1-25. Other Air Force organizations that have contributed workshop funding include AFRL/MKAT, AFRL/MLBC and AFRL/VTSC. In addition to the Air Force, NASA Glenn Research Center, NASA Langley Research Center, NASA White Sands Test Range, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, JANNAF Structures and the U.S. Navy all helped sponsor High Temple Workshops.

A number of companies have sponsored events such as the social hour and golf outings at past High Temple Workshops. Adherent Technologies Inc., CHRISKEV Company Inc., Composite Horizons Inc., Fiber Innovations Inc., Hexcel Corp., JFC Technologies, Maverick Corp., UDRI and YLA Inc. have all generously sponsored events at past High Temple Workshops.

The current High Temple Workshop Steering Committee members are: Brett Bolan, AFRL/MLSA; Tia Benson Tolle, AFRL/MLBC; John Connell, NASA Langley Research Center; Michael McCabe, UDRI; Dan McCray, UDRI; Kevin Miller, NAVAIR-Patuxent River; Bruce Moylan, U.S. Army-Redstone Arsenal; Jim Sutter, NASA Glenn Research Center; Katie Thorp, AFRL/MLBCO; and Mike Wright, NAVAIR-China Lake.

The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) has been intimately involved with the High Temple Workshop since its inception. UDRI hosted workshops 2 & 3, and administered all 26 workshops to date. Ken Clayton, UDRI, organized and administered Workshops 1-13 until his retirement. Ron Kuhbander, UDRI, took over for Ken and administered High Temple Workshops 13-18 until his retirement. Dan McCray, UDRI, assumed duties from Ron and administered High Temple Workshops 19-26 and continues in that role today. Jeanne Miller, UDRI, has provided administrative support over the years in continues in that roll as well. In 2005, UDRI assumed full responsibility for sponsoring and administering the High Temple Workshops. Since then, UDRI has sponsored and administered the 26th High Temple Workshop in 2006 and is sponsoring/administering the 27th High Temple Workshop scheduled for February 2007.