Technology and Engineering Atlas

How Things Are Built
Fields

Electrical Engineering

Also Known As EE Standard academic/industry abbreviation.

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Electrical engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism, spanning power generation and distribution, communications and the control systems that depend on them. It emerged as a distinct discipline in the second half of the nineteenth century as telegraphy, electric lighting and electric power moved from laboratory demonstration to widespread infrastructure.

Facts
Disputed
Origin Year
1871 2
The Society of Telegraph Engineers, founded in Britain in 1871 and later renamed the Institution of Electrical Engineers, is generally credited as the first dedicated professional body for the discipline; the American Institute of Electrical Engineers followed in 1884.
Core Concern
Electricity, electronics and electromagnetism, from power to communications. 1
Core Principle
Model and control the flow of electric charge and electromagnetic energy through a circuit or system precisely enough to make it do useful, predictable work. 1
Cross-Tradition Connections

Associated With

Source Agricultural Engineering (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Computer Engineering, Fields

Computer engineering grew out of electrical engineering as digital logic and processors became a distinct specialty.

Copper, Materials
Marine Engineering, Fields

Marine engineering draws on electrical and electronic engineering for shipboard power and control systems.

Source Marine Engineering (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Radio, Inventions

Includes

Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Copper, Materials
Source Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica editors
Elisha Gray, Engineers
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Hedy Lamarr, Engineers

Self-taught and without formal engineering training or credentials; linked here for a real, patented technical contribution rather than professional standing in the field.

Jack Kilby, Engineers
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical AgeW. Bernard Carlson
Radar, Inventions
Radio, Inventions
Source Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Silicon, Materials
Source Technology: A World HistoryDaniel R. Headrick
Television, Inventions
Source Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica editors
Source Technology: A World HistoryDaniel R. Headrick
The Laser, Inventions
Source Technology: A World HistoryDaniel R. Headrick
Source Technology: A World HistoryDaniel R. Headrick
Source Technology: A World HistoryDaniel R. Headrick
Source Technology: A World HistoryDaniel R. Headrick
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Sources
1. Technology: A World History
Daniel R. Headrick, Oxford University Press, 2009
2. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Electrical Engineering (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationLead section, opening definition of electrical engineering
Quote, Lead section, opening definition of electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with the study, design, and application of equipment, devices, and systems that use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
View the Source
Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age
W. Bernard Carlson, Princeton University Press, 2013Includes: Nikola Tesla
Hedys Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World
Richard Rhodes, Doubleday, 2011Includes: Hedy Lamarr
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Alexander Graham Bell
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Elisha Gray
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Antonio Meucci
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: John Bardeen
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Walter Brattain
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: William Shockley
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Samuel Morse
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Jack Kilby
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Robert Noyce
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Theodore Maiman
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Gordon Gould
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Robert Watson-Watt
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954Includes: Christian Hulsmeyer
Marine Engineering (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Marine EngineeringView the Source
Agricultural Engineering (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Agricultural Engineering, Lead sectionView the Source
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