History of the est Training

1971

  • In June Werner Erhard had a realization about the nature of being…
  • And in October that realization manifested into the est Training. Werner Erhard first led the est Training in San Francisco at the Jack Tar Hotel and the world of possibility was born.
  • Laurel Sheaf named as president and CEO of est
  • First est office, 2nd floor on Kearney Street in San Francisco
  • Original est staff members included Werner Erhard, Gonneke Spits, Laurel Scheaf, Jack Rafferty and Elaine Cronin
  • While only about 600 people participated in est Training by the end of 1971, it was the beginning of something new. The beginning of people getting that what is, is and what isn’t, isn’t and you can choose to be responsible for your life. People took on making a difference in their lives, their community and the world.

1972

  • “You Are The Gift”. Inside of making a difference a group of est graduates formed the Holiday Project. A not-for-profit organization that gave people, who participated in the project, the experience of contributing to others with both time and simple gifts.
  • The Franklin House was established
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1973

  • The est Foundation was created
  • The first two est Trainers were certified and introduced by Werner Erhard
  • Beginning of Young People’s est Training
  • est Advisory Board Created
  • Werner Erhard speaks in London and the University of Munich
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1974

  • New “Communication Course” introduced
  • Community est Training in Harlem
  • Young People’s est Training in Watts

1975

  • Feature Story in Cosmopolitan Magazine appears – the tipping point of the est Training popularity
  • Books in 1975
    • A look at est in Education by Robert W Fuller and Zara Wallace
  • Est goes international with Werner Erhard presenting the communications workshop in London and Paris.
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1976 

  • The first Graduate Review is published
  • Five year anniversary and 90,000 people have completed the est Training
  • Houston, Philadelphia and Seattle establish centers for the est Training
  • The est Foundation presents “Conversations with Buckminster Fuller”, hosted by Werner Erhard
  • Werner Erhard visits the Dalai Lama
  • Werner Erhard appears on the Dinah Shore TV Show with Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman and Robert Fuller
  • Werner Erhard interviewed by Barbara Walters
  • Books written in 1976
    • Est: 60 hours that transform your life, by Adelaide Bry
    • The Book of est, by Luke Rhinehart
    • Est – Playing the Game, The New Way, by Carl Frederick
    • Est- Four Days to Make your Like Work, by William Greene
    • The est Experience, by James Kettle
    • Est – Making Life Work, by Robert Hargrove

1977

  • The est Training goes International with its first presentation in London, England
  • The est Training expands to Phoenix, Santa Barbara, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and Portland
  • The Hunger Project, an organization committed to the end of hunger on our planet, is initiated with presentations by Werner Erhard and Roy Prosterman in several cities around the US.
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1978

  • “Celebrate Your Relationships” Oakland Coliseum
  • From India to Atlanta Georgia – the est Training expands
  • Biography of Werner Erhard is published – “Werner Erhard: The Transformation of a Man, The Founding of est, by philosopher, William Bartley III, Ph.D.
  • First film about the Six Day produced – “I Used to be Different, Now I am the Same”
  • “Laurel Sheaf Day” June 20, 1978 – proclaimed by the state of California legislature.
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1979

  • Werner Erhard with Buckminster Fuller present a conversation “Making the World Work for Everyone”
  • New Seminar “Being Ready for the Rest of Your Life” introduced
  • Werner Erhard appears on the Tom Snyder show
  • First est training in India

1980

  • A Shot Heard Round The World – A World That Works for Everyone
  • Breakthrough Racing research project
  • The Breakthrough Foundation established by Werner Erhard
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1981

  • Israel introduced to the Est Training
  • 300,000 people have taken the est training worldwide
  • First of ten annual Physics Conferences sponsored by the est Foundation
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1982

  • “Taking a Stand for the Future” Event
  • Australia introduced to the est Training
  • Film created, “Being Alive”
  • 39 est Trainers now certified

1983

  • Werner Erhard meets with scientists and academics in the Soviet Union
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1984

  • Werner Erhard interviewed by Charlie Rose
  • The est Training after 13 years:
    • Nearly half a million people have done The est Training.
    • Two million people introduced to the work thorough workshops, special events and seminars.
    • One out of every 364 adults in the U.S went through the est training and participated in the transformation of their lives.
    • Notable graduates include David Geffin, Walter Kaufmann, Diana Ross, Raul Julia, Joanne Woodard, Jeff Bridges, John Denver, Jerry Rubin, Joe Namath, Peter Gabriel, Yoko Ono
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By virtue of the communication and projects initiated by the half a million people who completed the est Training, the possibility that transformation has become a part of the fabric of the culture; its value is self-evident, its validity assured.  In January 1985 Werner introduced the Forum, a program he developed in part through his education and ideas in traditional philosophy.