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E-INDUS
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The IEEE and its predecessors, the AIEE (American Institute of Electrical Engineers) and the IRE (Institute of Radio Engineers), date to 1884. From its earliest origins, the IEEE
has advanced the theory and application of electrotechnology and
allied sciences, served as a catalyst for technological innovation
and supported the needs of its members through a wide variety of
programs and services.
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The last quarter of the nineteenth century was marked by a tremendous growth in electrical technology. By the early 1880s,
This growth in the technology and the planning for an international Electrical Exhibition to be held by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia prompted twenty-five of America's most prominent electrical engineers, including Thomas Edison, Elihu Thomson and Edwin Houston, to issue a call for the formation of a society to promote their burgeoning discipline. On 13 May 1884, the AIEE was born in New York with the purpose to advance electrical power technologies and quickly gained recognition as a representative for American electrical engineers. |
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AIEE -- Wire Communications, Light and Power:
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From the beginning, the major interests of the AIEE were
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An early and active participant in the development of electrical industry standards, the Institute laid the foundations for all work on electrical standards done in the United States. During its first three decades, the AIEE confronted and resolved such internal concerns as
By 1912, however, the interests and needs of those specializing in the expanding field of radio could no longer be satisfied by periodic technical committee meetings in their local areas. |
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The IRE -- Wireless Communication:
Many of the original members of the IRE were members of the AIEE and both organizations continued to have members in common until they merged to form the IEEE in 1963. The structural development and general activities of the IRE were similar to those of the AIEE.
- Specialized segments were gathered into
professional groups
under a central governing body. - Geographical units and student branches were formed.
- Meetings and publications facilitated
the creation of an
extensive literature and the exchange of knowledge. - Membership grades were established.
- Standards development became a major effort.
The nature of radio technology meant that
the interests of the IRE went beyond national boundaries. Therefore, the
new organization sought and attracted members from many countries and
eventually established units in several areas throughout the world. From
the beginning the "Proceedings of the IRE" regularly published
papers from authors outside the United States.
In the 1930's, electronics became part of the vocabulary of electrical engineering. Electronics engineers tended to become members of the IRE, but the applications of electron tube technology became so extensive that the technical boundaries differentiating the IRE and the AIEE became difficult to distinguish.
After World War II, the two organizations became increasingly competitive. Problems of overlap and duplication of efforts arose, only partially resolved by joint committees and meetings.
AIEE, IRE Merge:
In 1961, the leadership of both the IRE and the AIEE resolved to seek an end to these difficulties through consolidation. The next year a merger plan was formulated and approved and became effective on January 1, 1963.
The new organization, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,
- melded the technical activities and
geographical units of
the two societies and - established a unified publications program.
More than three decades have passed since
the formation of the IEEE. The IEEE today continues to expand
as information technologies and others grow in importance, and as the
career and technical needs of members broaden.
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Copyright
© 2006, by IIEE-IEEE Student Branch. |
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