## The Enduring Value of Technological History: A Presidential Viewpoint
History isn’t simply a record of the past; it’s a powerful tool for shaping the future. In the field of electrical engineering and computing, understanding our evolution is crucial for continued innovation and responsible technological development. By examining past successes and failures, we can build a stronger foundation for the technologies of tomorrow.
The IEEE has long recognized this importance, maintaining a dedicated History Committee since its inception. This committee, alongside the IEEE History Center, actively preserves, researches, and promotes the legacy of electrical engineering and computing thru a variety of programs.
One particularly inspiring aspect of this work is the IEEE Milestone program. These dedications recognize notable technical achievements globally, and attending these ceremonies has been a consistently rewarding experience. These events, organized by local volunteers working with technical experts and historians, celebrate pioneering accomplishments and the individuals behind them, demonstrating the positive impact of technology on humanity. They offer a unique prospect to connect with the global IEEE community while experiencing the history of technology firsthand.This year brought the reopening of the IEEE Global Museum,which provides traveling exhibits focused on the history of electrotechnology to IEEE members and the public.The museum’s mission is to highlight how technological progress builds across generations,empowering engineers and researchers to leverage past achievements for the betterment of lives.
The IEEE oral history program is another vital component of this preservation effort. Currently boasting nearly 900 interviews accessible on ethw.org, this program captures invaluable spoken memories and personal perspectives of historical significance. As IEEE president, I am personally looking forward to contributing to this important archive.
Moreover, IEEE REACH provides preuniversity teachers with free resources that contextualize science, technology, and engineering within their broader social and human frameworks. These resources help students understand not only *how* technologies function, but also *how* they have shaped – and been shaped by – society.
Preserving the history of our profession is essential for fostering innovation, inspiring future generations, promoting collaboration, and ensuring the responsible, lasting, and ethical development of technology. It’s a commitment to building a better future informed by the lessons of the past.
I encourage you to explore the wealth of programs and resources available at history.ieee.org.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and perspectives with me at president@ieee.org.
