Origins of Gyro

Gyro came into existence in 1912 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Three young men had just graduated from university and formed a club, later to be named a Gyro Club, to continue their good fellowship that had developed during their college days.  Gyro first came to Canada in 1919 with the first club formed in Toronto.

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Gyro in Calgary

In 1920 some prominent Calgary businessmen including Clarence Lougheed and OC Arnott were visiting Banff.  Clarence Lougheed was the uncle of former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed.  They observed a group of men, all wearing Gyro lapel pins, having a wonderful time with no other apparent reason then enjoying each other’s company. They struck up a conversation with these gentlemen to find out more about them and the club they represented.  When they learned of the purpose and objectives of Gyro, they were so impressed they immediately started gathering a group of Calgary businessmen together to form a Gyro club in Calgary. 

The first club in Calgary, the Gyro Club of Calgary, officially came into existence in 1921.  This club was immediately successful and membership rose to a high of 200 by 1927.   What was it about Gyro at that time that caused such a surge in popularity? 

An appreciation of the ideals of the early founders of Gyro Clubs can be gained by reading the preamble to the Gyro Club of Calgary's first 1921 constitution:
"We the undersigned do declare ourselves an association of young men gathered together to further the interests of members by bringing together in one organization an all-inclusive representation of commercial and professional activity, to encourage the discussion of commercial and civic questions, and make business a more pleasant occupation by the promotion of genuine friendship, based upon the belief that personality is a much neglected factor in business.”

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Today, the social aspect of Gyro is emphasized by the Club and is strongly supported by an active Gyrette Club. Gyro friendship, which was so appealing to Clarence Lougheed, has consistently remained the core concept of the Gyro Club of Calgary and the Club has maintained its membership by recruiting recent retirees.