IEEE History Center Research Articles

Проект IEEE oral history: академик Ю. В. Гуляев. Часть 5

The article is excerpts from an interview conducted with Academician Yu. V. Gulyaev by the IEEE History Center in Gorgier, Switzerland, July 13, 2017. Of the 14 sections of the interview, the article presents the following three: Saratov Institute, Carbon Nanotubes, and the “Psychics” Project. The article eliminated bibliographic inconsistencies. The purpose of the publication is to familiarize this part of the profile Russian-speaking community with the main provisions of the interview.

Проект IEEE oral history: академик Ю. В. Гуляев. Часть 4

The article is a fragment of an interview taken by Academician Yu. V. Gulyaev by the IEEE History Center in Gorgier, Switzerland, July 13, 2017. Of the 14 interview sections, the article presents the following two: Future developments in the field of acoustic wave technology and Friends and awards. The article eliminated bibliographic inconsistencies. The purpose of the report is to familiarize in this part of the profile Russian-speaking community with the main provisions of the interview.

Проект IEEE oral history: академик Ю. В. Гуляев. Часть 3

The article is a fragment of an interview taken by Academician Yu. V. Gulyaev by the IEEE History Center in Gorgier, Switzerland, July 13, 2017. Of the 14 interview sections, the article presents the following two: Other types of acoustic waves and SAW devices fabrication in Soviet Union. The article eliminated bibliographic inconsisten-cies. The purpose of the report is to familiarize in this part of the profile Russian-speaking community with the main provisions of the interview.

The Device That Changed Everything: Transistors are civilization's invisible infrastructure

I was roaming around the IEEE Spectrum office a couple of months ago, looking at the display cases the IEEE History Center has installed in the corridor that runs along the conference rooms at 3 Park. They feature photos of illustrious engineers, plaques for IEEE milestones, and a handful of vintage electronics and memorabilia including an original Sony Walkman, an Edison Mazda lightbulb, and an RCA Radiotron vacuum tube. And, to my utter surprise and delight, a replica of the first point-contact transistor invented by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley 75 years ago this month.

Working and Living at Bletchley Park

The burgeoning histories of Bletchley Park’s decryption and cryptanalysis operations during World War II have recognized the invaluable contributions of the 8000 women who comprised 75% of the staff. Some emphasize the number of wealthy debutantes who were recruited, or those who demonstrated their skills in lateral thinking by solving crossword puzzles. Eleanor Ireland fits neither of these categories. This anecdote is edited from her oral history with Janet Abbate and her own memoir, both of which are available on the Engineering and Technology History Wiki, which is maintained by the IEEE History Center.

Women in Microwaves: Maria Rzepecka Stuchly

Dr. Maria Stuchly is an IEEE Life Fellow recognized for her contributions to the understanding of interactions of electromagnetic fields with living systems. Born and educated in Poland, she immigrated to Canada as a Postdoctoral Fellow in 1970. For 16 years she worked as a research scientist at the Bureau of Radiation and Medical Devices for Health & Welfare Canada, developing protection standards for occupational, medial, and public exposure to radio frequency (RF) and microwave fields. She later became a professor and named research chair at the University of Victoria before retiring in 2004. This article is the second in a continuing series of biographical pieces on women who have made significant and continuous contributions to microwave science, technology, and applications over the course of their careers. The articles are based on oral histories with the subject, conducted in conjunction with the IEEE History Center and deposited online with the Engineering and Technology History Wiki.

IEEE L. Dennis Shapiro Collection Fund Established

Dennis Shapiro passed away on Feb 16th 2021. It is a great loss for the IEEE and specifically for the Consumer Technology Society (CTSoc). The IEEE L. Dennis Shapiro Collection Fund was established to perpetuate and honor Dennis’ passion for collecting historical artifacts and promoting the heritage of electrical engineering through the work of the IEEE History Center. Donations to the Fund will support the acquisition of objects and artifacts that enhance and complement the Center’s holdings. The Center will use the materials for exhibits and historical publications designed for the education and enjoyment of the IEEE members and the public. The objects and artifacts collected thanks to the donations to the Fund will be noted as part of the L. Dennis Shapiro Collection when referenced in exhibits and publications. The URL for donations to support this work is noted.

Women in Microwaves: Linda Katehi

This article is the first in a continuing series of biographical pieces on women who have made significant and continuous contributions to microwave science, technology, and applications over the course of their careers. Currently, women represent fewer than 7% of the members in the Microwave Theory and Technique Society (which hosts this journal). This series aims to correct that gender imbalance by highlighting the accomplishments of women and inspiring others to join their ranks. The articles are based on oral histories with the subject, conducted in conjunction with the IEEE History Center and deposited online with the Engineering and Technology History Wiki. The focus of this article is Dr. Linda Katehi, an IEEE Life Fellow, who is recognized for her contributions to phased array packaging and high-frequency characterization of novel feeding networks for printed antennas and arrays. She has spent her career in academia, including many years in university administration, but she has never been far from her research.

Introduction to the Summer 2021 Issue

This is an introduction to our Summer, and third issue of the <sc xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">IEEE Journal of Microwaves.</small> We are pleased to bring you ten new technical articles: five invited and five contributed – covering a wide range of microwave topics detailed in the text to follow. We also include two of our continuing series pieces: <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Microwaves are Everywhere,</i> which for this issue takes a broad look at the origins and applications of radio frequency identification (RFID); and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Microwave Pioneers,</i> which highlights the career and uncommon personal choices of Dr. Arye Rosen, who helped open our field to the now ubiquitous cross-disciplinary applications of microwaves in medicine. We are also extremely excited about the start of our new series, <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Women in Microwaves</i> , which we are coupling to the IEEE History Center, and which details the careers of prominent female scientists and engineers in the microwave community. Our inaugural candidate for this new series is electromagnetics theorist and microwave planar circuits and antennas guru, Professor Linda Katehi, whose personal story will not fail to both interest and inspire you. Also in this introduction, we outline a new reviewing process we are starting up, <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Journal Club Review</i> , that we hope will contribute to the training of young researchers, as well as add significant numbers of enthusiastic new participants to the ever expanding need for quality peer reviews. With the release of this third issue of <sc xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">IEEE Journal of Microwaves,</small> we hope to cement our fledging following of dedicated authors and readers, and to begin to take our desired place amongst the quality journals hosted by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S).

Resources and Opportunities of the IEEE History Center and ETHW

Reports on the services provided by the IEEE History Center.

Old Issues of IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics—Donated to IEEE History Center

Reports on old issues of the IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electroincs that have been donated to the IEEE History Center.

The Birth of Electric Traction [Book Review

The IEEE History Center has just published a biography of Frank Julian Sprague, one of the original founders of the American Institute of Engineers. Sprague was one of the most important electrical engineers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sprague was an inventor who believed in preparing engineering plans and calculating his designs before building the prototypes that he tested, improved upon, and ended up installing.

Preserving the Legacy of RAS [History

Robotics and automation are transforming the world. The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) is now celebrating the 30th anniversary of its birth as the IEEE Robotics and Automation Council (www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/IEEE_Robotics_%26_Automation_Society_History). It is RAS whose members?through lively conferences and demos, pioneering publications, and long hours in labs and test beds at universities, institutes, and corporations around the world? have been blazing the trail of pioneering breakthroughs and innovations in the field. Now is the time to start telling your stories and honoring your achievements with the help of the IEEE History Center. The professional staff at the Center work to preserve and make known the proud heritage of the IEEE, its members and their professions, and related technologies. They also assist IEEE organizational units (OUs) in recording and disseminating their own history.

Greece [IEEE History Center

Classical Greece and the subsequent Greek-based Hellenistic culture of the Mediterranean region are well known as the birthplaces of what was to become modern mathematics. Many of their developments are still utilized today in computer science. What is less known to the general public is that the Greeks were computer engineering pioneers as well. Thus, for the computer professional or computer historian on a busman's holiday, there is even more to Greece than the Parthenon and relaxing beaches. In this column, Department Editor Michael N. Geselowitz tours the history and historical sites related to the history of computing in beautiful Greece.

Pushing Forty [President's Message

Friends and Colleagues, let me first assure you that I am not the one pushing 40. But the picture I have sent accompanying this piece should have clearly established this. Rather, recently, the IEEE History Center has advised me that in 2012 the IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT) will celebrate its 40th Anniversary (first as a Committee and then converting to a Society). Most of my message will deal with this event.

Achievements in power [History

The IEEE milestones in Electrical Engineering and Computing program is one of the most important responsibilities of the IEEE History Committee. Administered through the IEEE History Center, the program recognizes and honors technological innovation and excellence in the many fields of interest of IEEE. The principal purpose of the program is to promote public and scientific community awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the importance and rich history of electrotechnology. The program also publicizes significant engineering achievements in the locales where they occurred and helps to protect and preserve historically important information, artifacts, and sites. To be considered for milestone status, an achievement has to be at least 25 years old, involve a unique solution to an engineering problem, and have had regional or broader impact.

The legacy of our past [History; IEEE History Center

This article, representing a change of pace, discusses the IEEE's process of preserving and presenting the fascinating history of electrical and information technologies through the IEEE History Committee and the IEEE History Center. Special emphasis is given to oral histories and milestones, two major programs that offer opportunities for IEEE members to directly initiate and participate in preserving, publicizing, and honoring significant achievements in electrical engineering and computing. While these programs cover the areas of interest of all IEEE Societies, this article deals primarily with electric power engineering.

Ben Franklin's London house opens as a landmark

The house where the American scientist and statesman, Benjamin Franklin, lived in London before the American Revolution has been converted to a public museum and was opened to the public on January 17, 2006. Located near the Trafalgar Square, the four-story townhouse is an IEEE Milestone, i.e., a historically significant location selected by the IEEE History Center in collaboration with local sections. Originally built in the 1730s, the house has been carefully restored over the past few years.

Events and Sightings

In this issue, Events and Sightings covers the 40th anniversary of Moore's law; the Marconi International Fellowship Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award; the Computing before Computers meeting; computer oral histories in the IEEE History Center collection; and obituaries of Jack Kilby, George B. Dantzig, and Eiichi Goto.

In her own words: Aileen Cavanagh

Last year, the IEEE History Center presented in these pages biographies of four figures in the history of IEEE and of technologies for which first-hand material was available in our collections, with the outlines of their lives enhanced through the use of first-person accounts. The feature was entitled In His Own Words. Although all four individuals were more than worthy, all were male, and we fear our title inadvertently may have driven home the point that, historically, social, economic, and political pressures kept women underrepresented in our profession. Despite these forces, however, over the years many women have managed to contribute greatly to IEEE and to IEEE-related professions and technologies. It is important for a number of reasons, including role modeling for today's young women, to highlight the achievements of these pioneers. Since March is Women's History Month, the publication partially rectifies their oversight by presenting one of these notable women, Aileen Cavanagh, In Her Own Words.