Osborn and Parnes met at the first Creative Problem Solving Institute and began a collaboration thereafter. The two became close collaborators on research and writing projects, organizing conferences, and improving the Creative Problem Solving model. On top of this, they had a close personal friendship. Most significantly, Parnes brought Osborn’s dream of a creativity education program to reality at Buffalo State College in 1967, one year after Osborn’s death.

This endearing exchange of quotes gives some insight into their friendship and mutual passion for creativity. 

That Alex Osborn was a “big-shot” (though a reluctant one) is evidenced by his correspondence with such high-powered people as Henry Ford II, Earl Warren (Governor of California and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court), Richard Nixon (during his Vice Presidency to Lyndon B. Johnson), and President Herbert Hoover.

Osborn recieved the University of Buffalo Chancellor's Medal in 1960. In awarding the Chancellor’s Medal, University of Buffalo President Furnas observed with reference to Osborn’s dedication to creative education, “His years of devotion to this cause is leading untold numbers of men and women to better and fuller lives.”

Osborn was extremely active in the fight against unemployment during the Great Depression. He drafted plans to address unemployment in Buffalo that gained nationwide recognition, which he summarizes in this letter to President Herbert Hoover. In May of 1931 Osborn met for 15 minutes with President Hoover in Washington to discuss his proposals.

Before employment at the YMCA, Osborn was required to undergo a “Vocational Analysis.” Osborn is 23. 

At 23 (1911), Osborn wrote this letter to father seeking advice on a key career decision. He wrestles with decision to take the safer route and accept a position of Sales and Advertising Manager with Hard Manufacturing Company or to take the riskier path in advertising with the Matthews-Northrup Company. This underscores his attraction to advertising; a field in which he would make a significant contribution.

Alex Osborn on This I Believe, a CBS radio show hosted by famous American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow. The series ran from 1951-1955, asking its guests to share on air a short essay summarizing their most important beliefs and philosophies on life. This show was broadcast in August of 1955.