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Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

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Type: Non Profit Organization
Industry: Electrical, Electronic and Computing Industries
Founded: 1884
Founder(s): Norvin Green
Thomas Edison
Alexander Graham Bell
Headquarters: 3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10016-5997

Country: USA
Revenue: $ 338, 413, 396 [1]
Website: IEEE.org
Facebook: IEEE
LinkedIn: IEEE
Twitter: @IEEEorg
Key People
Dr. Moshe Kam, President and CEO
Gordon Day, President-Elect
Mr. Pedro A. Ray, Past-president
James Prendergast, Executive Director

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is a global association of professionals dedicated in the pursuit of advancement and technological innovations for the benefit of humanity. It has 38 societies and 7 technical councils, representing a wide range of technical expertise, with more than 400,000 members from 160 countries all over the world. The organization supports publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional & educational activities.[2]


Mission & Vision[edit | edit source]

The organization's main objective is to promote technological innovation and excellence to serve humanity. IEEE's vision is to be an integral part of the global technical community, be a forum for technical professionals all over the world, and be universally recognized for the technological contributions and improvement of the global conditions of technical professionals.[3]

History[edit | edit source]

The beginnings of IEEE can be traced back during the 1880s after the invention of electrical power and light.

Norvin Green, from the telegraphy industry, Thomas Edison, from the power industry and Alexander Graham Bell representing the telephone industry, founded the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) in 1884. AIEE was formally incorporated as a non profit organization on March 16, 1896.[4] The organization led the development of the electrical engineering profession through technical meetings, publications and promotion of standards in the industry.[5]

In 1899, Guglielmo Marconi invented the wireless telegraph. In 1902, he proved to the world that world that wireless communication is possible by sending the first successful translantic radio telegraph message from England to New Foundland.[6] Meanwhile, during the 1900's, Lee Deforest invented the space telegraphy. He combined the triode amplifier and the Audion with John Ambrose Flemings diode valve to detect electromagnetic radiation. He was successful in amplifying the radio frequency signal picked up by the antenna before application to the receiver. His work led to the invention of amplitude-modulated (AM) radio. This developments paved the way to the establishment of the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) on August 23, 1913. The Institute focused on the development and enhancement of the radio industry profession, products and services.[7]

On January 2, 1963, AIEE and IRE merged to form the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).[8] During the merger, the organization had 150,000 members. The majority of the members were from the United States.

Growth & Expansion[edit | edit source]

Since IEEE's establishment, the organization expanded globally. At present, the organization has more than 400,000 members across 160 countries worldwide. Members are served though, and participate in, 130 journals, transactions and magazines, multiple conferences per year and 900 active standards. The organization's field of interest also expanded from electrical, electronics and computing to micro and nanotechnology, ultrasonics, bioengineering, robotics, electronic materials, many other areas of technological and scientific expertise. It is considered the world's largest association of technical professionals.[9]

Societies & Communities[edit | edit source]

There are a number of ways to get involved in the IEEE, whether i be though Societies, Technical Councils, Technical committees, Standards Association & working groups, Virtual networks, or through Local Sections & Chapters, Student Branches and Affinity groups.[10]

Organizational Structure[edit | edit source]

The voting members of IEEE elects a president every year who will serve for three years; as President-elect during the first year, then as President and CEO, and finally as Past President. The Institute is composed of 333 local sections in 10 geographic regions, 2,081 chapters comprised of local members with similar technical interests, 38 societies and 7 technical councils that compose 10 technical divisions, more than 1,855 student branches at colleges and universities in 80 countries, and 533 student branch chapters.[11]

Major Boards[edit | edit source]

  • Educational Activities Board (EAB)
  • Publication, Services and Products Board (PSPB)
  • Member and Geographic Activities Board (MGAB)
  • Standards Associations Board (IEEE-SA)
  • Technical Activities Board (TAB)
  • IEEE USA Board (IEEE-USA)

Standing Committees[edit | edit source]

IEEE is also composed of numerous committees which include the Audit Committee, Awards Board, Employee Benefits and Compensation Committee, Ethics and Member Conduct Committee, Fellow Committe, Finance Committee, History Committee, Insurance Committee, etc.

IEEE Xplore Digital Library[edit | edit source]

It has a database of more than two million documents including research articles, standards, transactions and conference publications which can be accessed online. [12]

ICANN and IEEE[edit | edit source]

Vinton Cerf, former Chairman of the Board of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is an IEEE fellow. He received numerous awards from the organization in recognition for his valuable contributions in the development of the internet such as the Marconi Fellowship, Charles Stark Draper award of the National Academy of Engineering, the Alexander Graham Bell Award, he IEEE Third Millennium Medal, and the IEEE IEEE Koji Kobayashi Award among others.[13]

References[edit | edit source]