IEEE Presidents Note: Preserving Tech History’s Impact

For most of its more than 140-year existence, IEEE has been a leader in preserving the far-reaching implications of the history behind the electrical, electronic, and computing fields and related areas of science and technology that underpin modern society. This history showcases a continuous and dynamic cycle wherein scientific understanding fuels innovation, and technological advancements enable new avenues for scientific exploration. This fascinating journey continues to hold vast implications for our future. Organizations such as IEEE have created an environment conducive to progress and evolution by facilitating knowledge sharing, developing standards, and advocating for sound public policy to ultimately advance technology for the benefit of humanity.

Exploring the contributions of key figures, such as Michael Faraday and his discoveries in electromagnetism, and Grace Hopper, the queen of software, as well as the challenges they overcame, offers valuable context for current and future innovators.

A greater understanding and appreciation of the historical contributions of IEEE’s fields and engaging in open dialogue with the public can help build a more sustainable, efficient, and technologically advanced future. Public trust and engagement are essential for the continued progress and acceptance of technological advancements. By revisiting past successes and failures, policymakers can better anticipate the consequences of new electrical engineering advancements and develop policies that foster innovation while also ensuring public safety and environmental sustainability. Ethical considerations have always been inherent to the development of technology, and examining historical challenges can offer valuable insights for navigating similar dilemmas in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

History serves as a testament to the power of human ingenuity and collaboration. By studying the evolution of electrical engineering, we can identify patterns, reflect on what worked well and why, analyze what went wrong, and build upon existing knowledge to create new technologies.

Supporting the cause

Since its inception, IEEE has had a standing History Committee, concerned with maintaining the legacy and heritage of the organization and its members and their related professions and technologies. The IEEE History Center preserves, researches, and promotes the legacy of electrical engineering and computing through its numerous programs.

Attending IEEE Milestone dedication ceremonies, which recognize outstanding technical developments around the world, has always been joyful to me. Visiting these historically significant locations, where local volunteers have worked with technical experts, historians, and the public to celebrate pioneering achievements and the people behind them, is truly inspiring and a testament to how technological innovation benefits humanity. They are a great way to experience the history of technology alongside the global IEEE community.

This year I had the opportunity to attend the reopening of the IEEE Global Museum, which brings traveling exhibits focused on the history of electrotechnology to IEEE members and the public. The museum promotes awareness of how technological progress unfolds over generations and how engineers and researchers can build on past achievements to improve peoples’ lives.

The IEEE oral history program collects spoken memories and personal commentaries of historical significance through recorded interviews. There are nearly 900 interviews available on ethw.org. As IEEE president, I look forward to my own participation in it.

IEEE REACH provides preuniversity teachers with free resources that situate science, technology, and engineering in their social and human contexts. The resources provide students with an understanding of technologies, including how they have shaped society and, in turn, how society has shaped them.

Preserving the history of our profession is vital for fostering innovation, inspiring future generations, promoting collaboration, and ensuring the safe, sustainable, and ethical development of technology that will continue to shape our world.

I encourage you to investigate all the programs and resources available at history.ieee.org.

Please share your thoughts with me: president@ieee.org