Organization IEEE

IEEE Historical Background

IEEE and its ancestors, the AIEE and the IRE (Institute of Radio Engineers), date back to 1884. Since the beginning IEEE has improved the theory and application of electrotechnology and related sciences, which played a catalytic role in technological development and supported the needs of its members around a large number of programs and services.

19th century development

The last quarter of the 19th century was marked by a booming development of electrical technology. Until the early 1880s, telegraph cables crossed the United States. Europe and America were connected by underground cable. Electric arc lights were used in several cities. The Thomas Edison station on Pearl Street provided power to the New York incandescent lamps. There were numerous companies that manufactured electrical equipment. The phone was an important communication tool.

This development of technology, and the planning for an international electricity exhibition to be held by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, prompted 25 of America\’s most prominent electrical engineers, including Thomas Edison, Elihu Thomson, and Edwin Houston, to publish the need to create a community, to promote new ideas. On May 13, 1884, AIEE was born in New York and was quickly recognized as the representative of American electrical engineers.

AIEE – wired communications – lighting and power

From the start, AIEE\’s main interests were wired communications, lighting and power systems. The institute has been actively involved in the development of electrical industry rules and laid the foundations for the United States. During its first 3 decades, the AIEE has tackled and resolved internal problems, such as the placement of temporary leadership members for the organization, finding outreach mechanisms with its remote members and students, and cultivating new technological interests through committees that were founded to cope with the growing tendency for specialization.

Until 1912, however, the interests and needs of specialization in the expanding radio space could no longer be met by periodic meetings of technical committees in their areas.

The IRE – Wireless Communication

Two large local organizations – the community of wireless and telegraph engineers and the Institute of Wireless Technology – came together to form a national committee of scientists and engineers involved in the development of wireless communications, called the Institute of Radiotechnical Engineers.

Many of the original IRE members were members of the AIEE, and the two organizations continued to have joint members until they joined to form the IEEE in 1963. The IRE\’s structural development and general activities were similar to those of the AIEE.

Specialized departments formed professional groups under one central leadership. Geographical and student departments were formed. Concentrations and publications facilitated the creation of extensive literature and the exchange of knowledge. Different degrees were still established for its members. Great effort has been made to develop standardization rules.

The nature of radio technology meant that the interests of the IRE transcended national boundaries. The new organization therefore attracted members from many countries and eventually established departments in several regions around the world.

The entrance to electronics

In 1930 electronics became a member of the vocabulary of electrical engineering. Electrical engineers were members of the IRE, but the applications of electronic lamp technology became so extensive that the technical boundaries that separated the IRE from the AIEE became difficult to grasp.

Following World War II, competition between the two organizations increased. Overlapping and duplication problems occurred, which were only partially resolved by combined committees and mergers.

AIEE and IRE merge

In 1961 both IRE and AIEE leadership came to an end to these difficulties through unity. The following year, a consolidation plan was drawn up and approved, which entered into force on 1 January 1963.

The new organization, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, merged the technical activities and geographical divisions of the two communities and established a unified publications program.

More than 3 decades have passed since the formation of the IEEE. IEEE continues to expand today as technological information becomes more and more important as its members\’ career and technical needs expand.

Aims and activities

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers is a worldwide technology professional organization dedicated to promoting the theory and applications of the science of electrical and electronic engineering to the evolution of the social-driven profession.

The IEEE currently has more than 377,000 Electrical Engineers, scientists, students and other professionals registered in more than 150 countries, making it the largest technology professional community in the world.

Producing 30% of the world literature in the field of Electrical Engineering science and organizing more than 300 valid conferences a year, IEEE holds a leading position in global academic activity.