IEEE.org | IEEE Xplore Digital Library | IEEE Standards | IEEE Spectrum | More Sites

Join IEEE
ieee master brand black logo

2023 IEEE Annual Report

Full Report:

View Flip Book
Download PDF
Search
Close this search box.

MENU

Historic Technology Milestones

Each year, the IEEE Milestones in Electrical Engineering and Computing program honors exceptional technical achievements that occurred at least 25 years ago. In 2023, 12 Milestones were dedicated globally, including:

Leading The Conversa

1820-1827

The Birth of Electrodynamics

Paris, France
Stimulated by experimental reports that an electric current could deflect a compass needle, André-Marie Ampère discovered the fundamental law of electrodynamics, the science of interactions between electric currents. 
 
1820-1827

1915-1918

Invention of Sonar

Paris, France
Paul Langevin demonstrated the feasibility of using piezoelectric quartz crystals to both transmit and receive pulses of ultrasound and thereby detect submerged submarines at ranges up to 1,300 meters. The system, later called sonar, was used successfully during World War II, and led to other applications including depth sounding and medical echography.
 
1915-1918

1978

First Demonstration of a Fibre Bragg Grating

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Researchers at the Communications Research Centre Canada were the first to observe photo-induced change of refractive index in glass optical fibers and demonstrate writing permanent refractive index gratings that act as very selective optical filters.
 
1978

1981-1988

The Development of RenderMan® for Photorealistic Graphics

Emeryville, California, USA
RenderMan® software, developed at Lucasfilm and Pixar, revolutionized photorealistic rendering, significantly advancing the creation of 3D computer animation and visual effects.
 
1981-1988

1988

First Robotic Control from Human Brain Signals

Skopje, Macedonia
In the Laboratory of Intelligent Machines and Bioinformation Systems, human brain signals controlled the movement of a physical object (a robot) for the first time worldwide, opening a new channel for communication between humans and machines.
 
1988

Together, we believe we can make a difference—advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

About IEEE

IEEE and its members inspire a global community through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities.

Learn More

Become a Member

We’re a community of 460,000+ technology and engineering professionals united by a common desire to continuously learn, interact, collaborate, and innovate.

Join IEEE

Home | More Sites | Contact & Support | Accessibility | Nondiscrimination Policy | IEEE Ethics Reporting | IEEE Privacy Policy | Terms & Disclosures

© Copyright 2024 IEEE — All rights reserved. A not-for-profit organization, IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.