The organization of Microwave Engineering by professional institutions in Europe, in the second half of the 20th century

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is twofold. It first describes how Microwaves were progressively organized by Professional Engineering Institutions in Europe in the years 1960–2000, essentially through individual efforts over many years. The first formal Microwave event organized in Europe was the European Microwave Conference in London, 1969, opening a series that continues as the European Microwave Week. It then shows that, over the same period of time, the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE), USA, which merged in 1963 with the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, USA, to form the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), also became stronger in Europe. European IRE members developed the structure of the IRE in Western Europe, with a first Regional meeting in Geneva, 1962. The paper illustrates the development of both Microwave Engineering and IRE-IEEE in Europe in the period of time considered, thanks to the commitment of European individuals, some of whom have been active on both counts.