Archives West Finding Aid

Founded in 1884, what was originally referred to as the American Institute of Electrical Engineers – AIEE – counted among its early members Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and Nikola Tesla, and was formed to “support professionals in their nascent field and to aid them in their efforts to apply innovation for the betterment of humanity.” Having chosen New York City as its primary headquarters, the AIEE held its first technical meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in October 1884. As the use of electricity became more common, “the AIEE became increasingly focused on electrical power, [with a] secondary focus on wired communication, both the telegraph and the telephone.”

By 1912 membership in the AIEE had grown to nearly 8,000 men. By 1957, however, membership in the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) – established in 1912 – had surpassed that of the AIEE. Recognizing that the work and interests of both groups had “increasingly overlapped,” on January 1, 1963, the AIEE and the IRE merged to form the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE, or "Eye-triple-E"). At its formation, IEEE had 150,000 members, the majority of which resided in the United States; by 2010, however, IEEE membership comprised over 395,000 members in 160 countries. At the groups’ merger, the professional groups and technical boards of the AIEE and the IRE became IEEE “Societies,” covering 39 special topics and interests, such as Electronics Packaging, Magnetics, Photonics, and Robotics and Automation. The IEEE is affiliated with 130 journals and magazines, and holds more than 300 conferences annually.

According to the 1912 Orange (1910/1911 AY), “as a result of the great increase in attendance in the Engineering School, and the marked success of [the American Institute of Electrical Engineers], a branch of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers was organized [at OAC] March 24, 1908.” As a student branch of AIEE, members chose a major topic or subject each year, meeting bi-weekly to read and discuss “papers prepared by eminent engineers…thus giving the student an insight into…the latest inventions of both [the U.S.] and Europe.” Original charter members of the OAC chapter of AIEE included two faculty advisors – Thomas Mooney Gardner and Earl Vincent Hawley – and fifteen senior students: W. R. Baker, S. A. Brown, L. B. Chambers, N. E. Chapin (Executive Committee), C. E. Christiansen, F. N. Fox, F. Knaus, D. F. Morgan, T. R. Sleight, H. W. Taber, E. S. Thayer (Executive Committee), R. Wall, E. C. Wiggen (Secretary-Treasurer), W. E. Wood, and D. A. Wright (Executive Committee). Officers included a Chair, a Secretary-Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of five.

From its establishment, the OSU Chapter of IEEE made awards for outstanding student papers and for Outstanding Senior (although the latter does not appear to have been awarded every year). Awardees were given a cash award, certificate, and provided with a cash allowance for attendance at a regional meeting in “support of the student papers contest sponsored by the student branch of IEEE.” Annual activities included sponsoring speaker visits; field trips to headquarters and plants of relevant Oregon industries; an annual Electrical Safety Demonstration; a student technical paper contest; and a student-faculty softball game.

OSU’s chapter of IEEE continues to operate on campus, hosting seminars intended to “bring industry representatives and students together to facilitate professional networking and information dissemination.” In addition, OSU Robotics Club chapter members operate the ResiSTORE, which sells new and donated electronic components out of the basement of Dearborn Hall.