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One operating system to rule them all… From nervous beginnings to world domination with one system

On this day in (engineering) history… by Stephen Phillips It is the evening of November 10, 1983, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. A young man of 28, although he speaks and dresses considerably older, is addressing a product launch event that, eventually, will profoundly change the way people work and interact with computers. The Plaza was playing host to the unveiling of Microsoft’s Windows 1.0. Like so many stories, this one doesn’t have its roots in that wintery New York night. It goes back to the comfortable warmth of Nevada in November, when Gates visited COMDEX, a major trade show held in Las Vegas. Whilst there, he saw Visi On , a software produced by VisiCorp. What caught Gates’ eye was the something we don’t even think about now; a ‘windowed’ user interface. It was a…

EngX Editorial in History of Engineering
What is the IET doing around AI?

Even though there has been a seemingly dramatic rise in people talking about AI and it being reported in the news, AI has been around for a long time and already underpins much of what we do day to day, from household gadgets to helping us send emails. Our latest research shows that the surge in AI has left a third of people fearing the unknown, yet the reality is that we already have three times as many daily interactions with AI than we realise. To give people a better understanding, we’ve exposed the daily hidden touch points with AI that many of us aren’t aware of. With the potential to help people with improved healthcare, safer transport systems and tailored, cheaper and longer-lasting products and services, the opportunities AI represents are profound, across sectors and industries…

EngX Editorial in Artificial Intelligence
Powered flight becomes more than just entertainment

On this day in (engineering) history… By Stephen Phillips The short life of Philip Orin Parmelee took a turn in September 1912 when he was taught to fly an aeroplane by the inventors of powered flight, the Wright Brothers. Two months later, today, 7 November 1910, 23 year old Philip would pilot the very first commercial flight and the first flight to carry freight, between Dayton and Columbus, both in the great state of Ohio. The Wright Model B Beside Philip in the pilot’s position was his cargo ten bolts of silk, weighing in at 45.4kg. It was tightly wrapped in brown paper and strapped to the body of the Wright Model B plane. It had to be because this was an open bodied wooden frame, with canvass coverings to make the wings and control surfaces. There was an engine with propellers…

EngX Editorial in History of Engineering
Car-Free Sunday: Navigating the 1973 Oil Crisis

In the autumn of 1973, the world experienced a seismic shift as the oil crisis struck. Triggered by a series of geopolitical events, oil-producing countries, primarily OPEC members, decided to cut oil production and impose an embargo on the United States and other Western nations. The aftermath was a surge in oil prices and widespread panic, leading to fuel shortages and long lines at petrol stations. Amidst this turmoil, 50 years ago today the Netherlands took a bold and unique step to address the oil crisis: they introduced 'Car-Free Sundays' on the 4th November 1973. Motorised vehicles were banned from Dutch roads, paving the way for a remarkable Sunday where the country's roads were overtaken by cyclists, pedestrians, and roller skaters. The objective was to conserve fuel and reduce…

EngX Editorial in History of Engineering
How many engineers does it take to review an application for professional registration?

Professional registration is a huge achievement, and we see lots of questions in the career development forum from members in various stages of the process. Some of the most frequent questions are about the process, so what does it take to see an application from start to finish? As a peer review process, every stage is supported by volunteers. To start, ideally a draft application will be shared with a professional registration adviser (PRA) or Industry Representative (IR). These volunteers understand the review process and can advise on how best to clearly demonstrate competence in the application. They can also help applicants prepare for interview if they need one. Once an application is submitted, it's checked for completeness by staff, then reviewed by a panel of assessors with…

Former Staff Member in Professional development
The Governance of Artificial Intelligence and the EU AI Act

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) being a hot topic, there have been many debates over safety and security both developing and using this type of technology. This blog focuses on the implementation of control, the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) [1], and how this could impact innovation. As previously discussed in this blog series, AI is a tool that can be used by many people to solve or assist in many different problem spaces and industries. Though the tool itself is neither good or bad, it is key to have frameworks or acts in place to ensure that the development of these systems are ethically appropriate, safe, secure and comply with existing laws on fundamental rights. Though there have been many frameworks to ensure that regulations are in place, a team of AI experts were brought…

Kirsten McCormick in Artificial Intelligence
The Birth of Broadcasting: John Logie Baird's groundbreaking Television Transmitter

On this day in Engineering history, we celebrate the pioneering work of John Logie Baird, a Scottish inventor, engineer, and innovator who played a crucial role in shaping the world of communication and entertainment. On 30 October 1925, Baird successfully demonstrated the first television transmitter, marking the birth of television as we know it today. John Logie Baird was born on August 13, 1888, in Helensburgh, Scotland. From a young age, he displayed a keen interest in engineering and inventing. His fascination with transmitting moving images was the driving force behind his journey into television technology. On 30 October 1925 he achieved the first-ever demonstration of a working television transmitter. He used a Nipkow disk, a rotating perforated disk he had invented, to scan a…

EngX Editorial in History of Engineering
9th Particle Accelerator Engineering Network annual meeting

The 9 th Particle Accelerator Engineering Network annual meeting took place at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on the 6 th October. The network was jointly created by the IET, IMechE, IoP and STFC and is hosted by the IET as one of their technical networks. This years meeting had 120 delegates from all areas of engineering of particle accelerators. This years keynote talk was by Ste Gallimore who leads the Target design section at ISIS who was talking about the recent ISIS target upgrade, which was followed up with a talk from ISIS target technician Justin Miles giving the upgrade from a technicians viewpoint. Over the lunch break there was an early career engineer poster competition which included PhD students, year in industry students, technicians and graduate engineers. The PAEN…

Gemma Hadley in Particle accelerators
Q+A on Artificial Intelligence with IET Head of Technology Strategy, Dr David Smith

We're excited to introduce Dr Gopichand Katragadda as the IET's 142nd President! A seasoned technologist and executive leader, Gopi is the Founder of Myelin Foundry – an AI company with a vision to transform human experiences and industry outcomes. He’s also an Independent Director of Bosch India Limited and ICICI Securities and a member of the NASSCOM governing council for the Centre of Excellence for Data Science and AI. Gopi’s presidential address, Engineers and AI: the key to delivering a resilient future, will take place at 6.30pm GMT on Tuesday, 21 November 2023. You can join us in-person at IET London: Savoy Place, or tune in online via YouTube. Register online and find out more via our website . Ahead of the talk, we caught up with IET Head of Technology Strategy and Product…

Danni Chambers in Research and Innovation
The End of an Era - Concorde's Last Commercial Flight

On this day in Engineering History (October 24) in 2003, the world witnessed the end of an era in aviation history as the iconic Concorde made its last commercial flight. The supersonic marvel had captured the imagination of aviation enthusiasts and travellers for nearly three decades, and its farewell marked a bittersweet moment in the history of flight. The Birth of a Supersonic Dream The story of Concorde began in the 1960s when British and French engineers joined forces to create a supersonic passenger aircraft. The result was a technological masterpiece, capable of flying at over twice the speed of sound. In 1976, Concorde made its debut, offering travellers an unprecedented way to traverse the Atlantic in just three and a half hours. Concorde quickly became a symbol of luxury and…

EngX Editorial in History of Engineering
Can Project Management and Augmented Reality deliver a Transformative Partnership?

The dynamic field of project management is continually evolving, with innovative technologies playing a crucial role in its transformation. Augmented reality (AR) is one such technology that is reshaping project management practices. Augmented reality when properly integrated into project management practices offers the ability to delve into a projects applications, it’s benefits, and identify potential challenges. By enabling project managers and teams to ‘visualize’ data, enhance communication, and streamline processes, augmented reality the author suggests that AR is proving to be a transformative tool for project success. Project management is the backbone of successful business programme and associated operations. Whether it's constructing a building, developing software, launching a…

Louis Redding in Nuclear Power
Technologies for Healthcare 4.0: From AI and IoT to blockchain

Congratulations to Book Editors, Karthik Ramamurthy, Suganthi Kulanthaivelu, Kulandairaj Martin Sagayam , Soumi Dutta and Paryati and to all of their chapter contributors on the publication of this new IET book: Technologies for Healthcare 4.0: From AI and IoT to blockchain About the book There are a growing number of challenges in handling medical data in order to provide an effective healthcare service in real-time. Bridging the gap between patient expectations and their experiences needs effective collaboration and connectivity across the healthcare ecosystem. The success of joined-up care relies on patient data being shared between all active stakeholders, including hospitals, outreach workers, and GPs. All these needs and challenges pave the way for the next trend of development in…

Amber Thomas in Biotechnology
Calder Hall: Powering the Nuclear Energy Revolution

In the heart of Cumbria, England, lies Sellafield, a site of immense historical and engineering significance. One of its most iconic landmarks is Calder Hall, often referred to as the birthplace of commercial nuclear power. Calder Hall was conceived during a time when the world was beginning to recognise the potential of nuclear energy. In the aftermath of World War II, as nuclear technology rapidly developed, the UK sought to harness this newfound knowledge for peaceful purposes. The government's Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) saw an opportunity to generate electricity on a large scale using nuclear reactors Construction and Design Construction on Calder Hall began in 1953, and it was completed in just four years, a testament to the dedication and expertise of the engineers and workers…

EngX Editorial in Nuclear Power
Deep Learning in Medical Image Processing and Analysis

Congratulations to Book Editors, Khaled Rabie, Chandran Karthik, Subrata Chowdhury and Pushan Kumar Dutta and to all of their chapter contributors on the publication of this new IET Book: Deep Learning in Medical Image Processing and Analysis About the book Medical images, in various formats, are used by clinicians to identify abnormalities or markers associated with certain conditions, such as cancers, diseases, abnormalities or other adverse health conditions. Deep learning algorithms use vast volumes of data to train the computer to recognise certain features in the images that are associated with the disease or condition that you wish to identify. Whilst analysing the images by eye can take a lot of time, deep learning algorithms have the benefit of reviewing medical images at a faster…

Amber Thomas in Artificial Intelligence
A day in the life as one of the many stars at the UK Space Agency

Join us as we embark on "A Day in the Life of an Engineer." Through this blog series, we aim to inspire, inform, and celebrate the remarkable individuals who are shaping our world one innovation at a time. Whether you're a fellow engineer, a student aspiring to enter the field, or simply curious about the fascinating world of engineering, these posts will offer a glimpse into the passion, ingenuity, and relentless pursuit of excellence that define the life of an engineer. For the first in this series we spoke to Dr Mamatha Maheshwarappa MSc PhD MIET, to find out more about a day in her life as an Aerospace Engineer at the UK Space Agency. What is your name and job role? My name is Mamatha Maheshwarappa. I’ve been an engineer for over twelve years. At the moment, I work for the UK…

EngX Editorial in Space
October is Black History Month

Black History Month takes place in October every year and is an annual commemoration of the history, achievements and contributions of Black people in the UK. Here at the IET we’re committed to reflecting and representing the diversity of the engineering community. We are a professional home for every engineer and technician and want to include everyone whatever their background. If you are interested in supporting IET Education in raising awareness of Black History Month or would like to use some of our teaching resources and materials in schools then have a look at how we can help you. Celebrating black engineers poster Highlighting black engineers throughout history and celebrating their contributions to the world of STEM. Posters and careers packs to download (theiet.org) Inclusivity…

Former Staff Member in STEM Education and Skills
The Sphere: Welcome to the new era of concert venues.

I couldn’t say I was a big U2 fan back in the 80’s, although saying that, I did (and maybe still do somewhere) have copies of their albums, War, The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, and Rattle and Hum. By the early 90’s I’d moved on and about to enter the ‘Dance/Techno’ phase of my musical tastes but I’d still argue that my taste in music is very eclectic. However, I’m currently re-evaluating my U2 fan status after catching glimpses of their latest concert at the newly opened concert venue, ‘The Sphere’ in Las Vegas. For those of you who haven’t had their FYP’s on socials flooded with viral videos of this spectacular building (both inside and out) The Sphere is the latest addition to the Las Vegas Skyline. Conceived in 2018 The Sphere is an 18,000 capacity entertainment arena on the…

Lisa Miles in Construction Industry
Become a Professional Registration Advisor (PRA)!

Are you a member of the IET and a registered engineer with the Engineering Council looking to expand your skill set and add to your development? Would you like to become part of a volunteering community focused on professionalism? Apply today to become our Professional Registration Advisor (PRA) . Volunteer and inspire the next generation of engineering! What you’ll be doing As a PRA, you will assist applicants to complete their applications and to present their case in a way that will assist the registration panel in their assessment. What you can gain from this role Further develop your teamwork and communication skills. Positively contributing to the careers and development of other engineers and technicians. Meet people from different sectors and industries, helping…

Rohan Jose in Professional registration
Saluting our sisters: a 1960s gathering of international women engineers

By Anne Locker In October 2023, we celebrate Black History Month in the UK, and the theme this year is ‘Saluting our sisters.’ In this blog, we take a closer look at an album of photographs taken at a 1967 international conference of women engineers and scientists, from the archives of the Women’s Engineering Society (NAEST 092). This conference was attended by four extraordinary women who studied in the UK and went on to ground-breaking careers in Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda. These women were Dr Ebun Adegbohungbe, Dr Deborah Ajakaiye, Miriam Muwanga and Dr Letitia Obeng. The conference The second International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES) was held in Cambridge, UK, in July 1967. The first ICWES conference, held in the US and organised by the Society of Women Engineers…

IET Archives in History of Engineering
On this day in Engineering: Edison's Vulcan Street Hydroelectric Plant

Thomas Edison is widely celebrated as one of the most prolific inventors in history with over a thousand patents to his name. While he is best known for inventing the incandescent light bulb, one of his most significant achievements was the development of the hydroelectric plant at Fox River which entered operation on this day (30 September) in 1882. A pioneering project that revolutionised the way electricity was generated and distributed in the late 19th century. Edison's Vision for Electric Power At the turn of the 20th century, electricity was still in its infancy as a practical source of power for homes and industries. Most electricity was generated through steam engines and distributed over short distances, limiting its usefulness. Edison recognised the potential of electricity as…

EngX Editorial in History of Engineering
Young Astrogazers launch into space!

Croydon High School, in a remarkable partnership with the University of Bath and supported by experts Professor Cathryn Mitchell and Dr. Robert Watson, specialists in space and atmospheric physics, proudly announces the triumphant success of its Astrogazers project, which involved launching a weather balloon into space. This achievement underscores the school's unwavering commitment to STEAM education and the remarkable journey it has taken its students on. "Mission Aspiration" was a dream realised for Arabi Karteepan, Head of Physics and Director of Astrogazers at Croydon High School. The mission involved a team of girls from Year 5 - 11 launching two meteorological balloons that ventured to an altitude of 32,380 metres. The balloons carried essential equipment, including cameras, data loggers…

Former Staff Member in Space
Make it safe, make it certain: software tools and safety critical systems

Make it safe, make it certain: software tools and safety critical systems It is the software tools used to design and build safety critical systems that truly keep us all safe… Andrew Banks & Nick Tudor Why not join us at our full day event taking place on 21st November at Austin Court, Birmingham to find out more on this topic: Software Tools in the Development of Safety Systems - IET Events (theiet.org) One of the more unsung aspects of our technologically driven society is the need for software-controlled safety critical systems. Aircraft, manned spaceflights, medical devices, and nuclear reactors all require the use of safety critical systems, with the software designed and built by software engineers. These keep the machines and devices doing what they are supposed to, should they…

Lynsay Callaghan in Functional Safety
SESAME - Autumn 2023 Events Programme

The SESAME (South East Scotland Afternoon Meetings and Events) section is part of the IET's South East Scotland Network . As our name suggests we arrange events within the South East of Scotland with a focus on being both a social and technical group. All our events and other activities are multi-disciplinary, addressing a wide range of current engineering and technology topics of interest to both specialist and generalist alike. Our talks, by an invited speaker, are held at Edinburgh Napier University Craiglockhart Campus with the presentation followed by afternoon tea and discussion with the speaker. They are open to the public and are free. Registration is not necessary but is helpful for us to manage the event. Our technical visits are generally within an hour’s drive of Edinburgh…

Samuel Gaw (Jim) in Space
On this day in Engineering: The Legacy and Innovation of Nintendo: Gaming's Timeless Icon

In the world of computer gaming, few names carry as much weight and nostalgia as Nintendo. For decades, the Japanese gaming company has been a cornerstone of the industry, shaping the way we play, connect, and experience virtual worlds. Nintendo's journey began on this day (23rd September) in 1889, not as a video game company but as a playing card manufacturer. Founded by Fusajiro Yamauchi, Nintendo was initially known as "Nintendo Koppai." Over the years, the company ventured into various businesses, however, it wasn't until the 1970s that Nintendo made its first foray into the video game industry The Arcade Era and birth of the home gaming console In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Nintendo introduced arcade games like "Donkey Kong" and "Mario Bros." These games laid the foundation…

EngX Editorial

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