From Compass to Computer: History of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Most electrical and electronics engineers and technicians know very little about the history of their chosen profession. During their education and training they are offered minimal information on this subject-what they do learn often comes in the form of anecdotal footnotes in textbooks or as the reminiscences of an older generation.
This book is offered to engineers, technicians, and students, not so much as a textbook but more as an account that may be read for enjoyment and relaxation as well as for enlightenment. In common with the history of other branches of engineering, and with those of physics and science in general , the history ofelectrical and electronics engineering has become a profession in itself. Indeed much ofthe material on the subject seems to be written by historians for historians, which is a pity. I am not an historian and make no claim to be one. This book is not written for historians; they have their own sources, methods , and standards to which those of the engineering fraternity do not often refer. My aim has merely been to bring to a wider audience that which is already known to a select few. The result contains little original material but, I hope , much that engineers and interested laymen will find interesting and informative. There is a growing awareness of the history of their discipline among electrical engineers. In America the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., welcomes papers on historical topics in its Transactions and has established a History Center in New York. In Britain the Institution of Electrical Engineers hold an annual meeting on history. Some Colleges and Universities offer short courses in the history of electrical engineering to engineering students. If this book serves to foster that awareness in some small way it will have been worthwhile.
Colyton, Devon, 1983 W.A.ATHERTON