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What is Mensa? What kind of people are Members of Mensa?
Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities. There is simply no one prevailing characteristic of Mensa members other than high IQ. There are Mensans for whom Mensa provides a sense of family, and others for whom it is a casual social activity. There have been many marriages made in Mensa, but for many people, it is simply a stimulating opportunity for the mind. Most Mensans have a good sense of humor, and they like to talk. And, usually, they have a lot to say.

Mensans range in age from 4 to 94, but most are between 20 and 60. In education they range from preschoolers to high school dropouts to people with multiple doctorates. There are Mensans on welfare and Mensans who are millionaires. As far as occupations, the range is staggering. Mensa has professors and truck drivers, scientists and firefighters, computer programmers and farmers, artists, military people, musicians, laborers, police officers, glassblowers--the diverse list goes on and on. There are famous Mensans and prize-winning Mensans, but there are many whose names you wouldn't know.
What are the goals of Mensa?
Mensa has three stated purposes: to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, to encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence, and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members.
How many members does Mensa have?
Today there are some 100,000 Mensans in 100 countries throughout the world. There are active Mensa organizations in over 40 countries on every continent except Antarctica. Membership numbers are also available for specific National Groups.

100.000
Members worldwide

and

around 80
Members in Luxembourg
Who are famous Mensa members?
As the list indicates, Mensa is a remarkably diverse organisazion. While some Mensans noted here are well known, many others lead interesting lives out of the public eye:
  • Isaac Asimov, Science-Fiction author.
  • Sir Clive Sinclair, founder of Sinclair Spectrum Computer. Mensa chairman for 17 years.
  • Marylin Vos Savant, is in the Guinness Hall Of Fame with an IQ of 228.
  • Geenva Davis, actress.
  • Dr. Julie Peterson, has been a Playmate and today is a doctor
  • Adrian Cronauer, Radio personality who inspired the movie "Good Morning Vietnam".
  • Donald Petersen, ex-Chairman of Ford Motor company.
  • Adam Osborne, founder of "Osborne Computer".
  • Terance Black, Screenwriter "Tales from the Crypt"
  • Richard Bolles, bestseller-author
  • Bobby Czyz, a former two times World Boxing Association (WBA) Cruiserweight champion.
  • ... and many others ...
What does «Mensa» mean? What opinion does Mensa have?
The word "Mensa" means "table" in Latin. The name stands for a round-table society, where race, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational or social background are irrelevant. Mensa has three stated purposes: to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, to encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence, and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members.
Mensa on Internet Mensa Logo (M-blem)
There is a great number of National Groups on the Internet:

The entire list is available at:
National Groups		 Mensa Logo represents a table with a globe above it but may also be seen as a stylized person. In Latin Mensa means “Table” and “mens” means “mind”.
It can be used only by official Mensa Groups.




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