The organization was established in 1954 by advertising specialist Alex F. Osborn,[1] the inventor of the concept of brainstorming.
[2] For several years, the organization was led by Osborn together with creativity theorist and education researcher Sid Parnes.
He established the "Lifetime creative achievement award", granted to individuals who had shown outstanding merit in the field of applied creativity, and also installed a media program of CEF publications.
In 1987, John Meyerhoff took over as CEO, and expanded CEF's educational offer to include business training.
Initially, the activities of the foundation focused on organizing the annual conference, developing and applying creativity tools and techniques, conducting research in the field of applied creativity, problem solving and innovation, publishing books and teaching materials, and developing an educational program including creativity for scholars and young people.