Welcome to the IET Germany Local Network
The Germany Local Network is led by local volunteers who come together to organise lectures and technical visits that provide opportunities to learn and meet new people. All events are open to the public and most are free of charge.
The Local Network aims to raise awareness of science, engineering and technology in the local area, and promote membership of the IET.
Visit the events page filtered by Germany Local Network to find out about our upcoming events.
Our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4900744/
Contact: Germany@ietvolunteer.org
Committee 2024-26
Chairman: Paul Cullen
Vice-Chairman: Andy Sinharay
Secretary: Mark Atkins
Treasurer: Colin White
Forthcoming Events
5th & 6th September 2026: Joint Technical Visit with IET Switzerland LN to Zeppelin & Dornier Museums, Friedrichshafen
Sign up here to participate in the first joint event between the German and Swiss Local Networks.
https://events.theiet.org/events/zeppelin-and-dornier-museums-tour-friedrichshafen
Zeppelin Museum DAY 1 ( 5 September 2026)
Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen
Seestraße 22
88045 Friedrichshafen
Deutschland
Art meets technology on the shores of Lake Constance: this guided tour introduces participants to the Zeppelin Museum as a two-part museum. In the Bauhaus-style harbor station, the museum combines the world's largest collection on the history of airship travel with an art collection that includes the great masters from southern Germany from the Middle Ages to modern times. As part of the journey of discovery through the Zeppelin Museum's permanent exhibitions, participants also learn about the role Friedrichshafen has played in the national and regional history of art and technology.
The contents at a glance
History of technology: As part of the guided tour, visitors embark on a journey back in time to the era of the zeppelin. You will learn how a zeppelin is constructed, the physical laws on which its technology is based and how the structure of airships changed over the course of time. The exhibition also explains how the zeppelin from Friedrichshafen went from being the first intercontinental civil aircraft to a military device, propaganda instrument, symbol of utopian future scenarios, a myth and an icon of popular culture.
Art history: What is looted art? Museums have been asking themselves this controversial question for years. The Zeppelin Museum is no exception and has been conducting detective research into the turbulent histories of its artworks since 2016. The Zeppelin Museum's art exhibition reveals the fates of collectors, sheds light on the history of looted or relocated artworks and takes a critical look at Friedrichshafen and Lake Constance as a safe haven for former influential NS figures and as a hub for sophisticated dealer networks.
Dornier Museum DAY 2 ( 6 September 2026)
Claude-Dornier-Platz 1
88046 Friedrichshafen
Deutschland
A Journey Through 100 Years of Aviation and Space History
The dream of flying comes true...
...at the largest technology museum on Lake Constance. Located right next to Lake Constance Airport, the Dornier Museum Friedrichshafen presents an immersive experience spanning over 6,000 square meters. On a journey through 100 years of aviation and space history, giant flying boats, nostalgic passenger planes, and fascinating space exhibits bring the pioneering spirit of the past century to life.
On a guided tour of the museum, amusing anecdotes and interesting facts bring the development of aviation and the pioneering achievements of engineer Claude Dornier to life. Countless world records, patents, and technical masterpieces document the impressive history of the Dornier company. Political, economic, and social contexts reveal what moved and motivated people in each era.
7th & 8th November 2026: Annual National Meeting Weekend: Joint Meeting with IET Switzerland LN in Zurich
The Germany LN will hold its Annual National Meeting as part of a joint event with the Swiss LN over the weekend in Zurich. A city tour will be arranged for the Sunday. All are welcome.
5th December 2026: Pre-Christmas Talk and Social Event, Munich
An entertaining talk together with a dinner social event will be held at a Munich location. All are welcome
Monthly Munich Stammtisch Meet-Up
There is a regular Stammtisch meet-up in Munich, normally every first Friday of the month, although sometimes dates vary - all are welcome.
If you are interested in attending, please e-mail: Germany@ietvolunteer.org
Past Events
19th June 2026: Visit to the Neutron Source FRM II
The Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) is a central scientific institute of TUM. It is one of the most powerful and modern neutron sources in the world. The neutrons produced here by means of nuclear fission are used for applications in the fields of science, industry and medicine."
Join us for a guided tour of the Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) in Garching, provided free of charge as part of the research institution's public outreach activities. After the visit, there will be a social gathering at Gasthof Neuwirt Garching (food/drink at participants' own cost) - you can indicate if you'd like to join us for this during registration.
We are offered a deeper insight into this large-scale research facility: looking inside the reactor pool, learning more about the non-destructive examination of matter with neutrons, and how radioisotopes are used in medicine.
25th April 2026: IET Germany Local Network Spring Networking and Social Event
An informal dinner and technical talk held at Munich’s landmark Löwenbräukeller - an opportunity to meet, network, and share interests - open to all.
The talk was delivered by guest speaker Hugh Breidenbach on the topic of Radio in Communication and Broadcasting:
From Marconi to the 20th Century, stories from the Royal Navy to a Radio Fair, and the Berlin Experiment - a talk through time to the present day.
6th February 2026: European Southern Observatory HQ Premises Tour, Garching, Nr. Munich
Take a peek into the heart of ESO by visiting the ESO HQ building.
13th December 2025: Munich Airport Live Tour
An exciting look behind the scenes at Munich Airport.
Experience Munich Airport from the other side with a bus tour of the airport grounds/apron. Live moderation (German only) by an experienced tour guide provides interesting, up-to-date information.
18th October 2025: Annual National Meeting Weekend in Regensburg
The Germany LN held its Annual National Meeting in the Ibis Styles Hotel directly on the Danube in the historic city of Regensburg.
29th September 2025: Technical Visit to Munich Public Observatory
We visited the Bavarian Public Observatory, Munich, Germany, which is run by volunteers, our tour being led by a very good presenter, who was highly successful in motivating and involving the audience.
The visit started with an interactive planetarium show, in a rather compact planetarium, using a traditional optical projector, followed by a visit to an exhibition on the solar system, which included an exposition of meteorites and their encounters with the Earth. The tour concluded with a visit to the roof telescopes, one of which had rather impressively been constructed be the observatory’s volunteer members, although due to cloud cover no live observations was possible.
5th April 2025: Munich Spring Event: Networking Dinner
The IET Germany Local Network launched its 2025 programme with an informal dinner and technical talk held at Munich’s renowned Paulaner Bräuhaus. The event provided members—particularly those in the Munich area—with a relaxed opportunity to meet, network, and share interests. Attendees included a mix of age groups, engineering disciplines, and nationalities, with many UK expatriates present. Partners and newcomers were warmly welcomed, contributing to the friendly and engaging atmosphere.
The evening’s main feature was a presentation by David Coleman CEng MSc MIET, Technical Leader at Cisco Systems GmbH, titled “Optical Communications: From Stevenage to Space Lasers.” David began with an overview of optical communication fundamentals, contrasting light-based transmission with microwave systems and outlining the core components: semiconductor laser diodes, optical fibres, and receivers. He discussed the refinement of diode technology, fibre design variations, and challenges such as attenuation and non-linear effects at high power.
David then traced the historical development of fibre optics—from early trials in 1977 between Hitchin and Stevenage, through the first international submarine cable (UK–Belgium 5, 1986), to the landmark TAT-8 transatlantic link (1988). He highlighted technical hurdles such as fibre chemistry, shark damage, and the rapid uptake of capacity far beyond expectations. The talk also covered advances such as SONET/SDH networks, enabling fault-tolerant rerouting within milliseconds, and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), which expanded bandwidth to 10 Gbps by 1997.
Concluding with a glimpse of future technologies, David discussed low Earth orbit laser satellites, where inter-satellite optical links promise high-speed communication but face challenges like Doppler shift. The session ended with audience questions and informal discussions.
As the evening wound down, participants shared meals, drinks, and professional contacts, fulfilling the event’s goal: to combine technical insight with enjoyable social interaction among IET Germany members.
16th November 2024: Annual National Meeting Weekend in Ingolstadt
The Germany LN held its Annual National Meeting in the Enso Hotel in the historic city of Ingolstadt, which is also the home town of the Audi company, and this acted as the inspiration for taking Automotive as the main theme of the event.
As usual, the annual meeting was a joint event with the local affiliate organisation, the Michael Faraday Institution (MFI), and incorporated the MFI AGM.
Partners and guests were invited to join the social programme over the weekend.
The first of two highly interesting technical talks was given by Sachin Pangaonkar, Project Leader Embedded System at Audi AG, on the development of the innovative Audi 48V Mild Hybrid Powertrain Generator, which has now reached production and is appearing in the newest generation of Audi ICE cars.
The second talk continued the automotive theme, and was presented by Prof. Dr. Alexander Schönmann of the TH Ingolstadt, addressing Automotive Production 2035 and the future of value creation, which provided an engaging overview of a number of new approaches to vehicle production.
The Saturday was rounded off by an evening meal.
A social programme on the Sunday offered a guided town of the old town of Ingolstadt, and the event was concluded with lunch in a traditional inn.
7th September 2024: Technical Visit to Technik Museum, Speyer, Germany
We had a very successful visit to the Technik Museum in Speyer, with attendees coming both from the local area and as far away as Munich.
Highlights of the exhibition for many were the Boeing 747, perched at a rather crazy angle on pillars, and the U9 submarine, both of which we visited on the inside.
28th October 2023: Annual National Meeting Weekend in Prague
In the spirit of furthering cooperation between neighbouring LNs in central Europe, this year the Annual National Meeting of the Germany LN was held in cooperation with the Czech LN as a weekend event including a social programme in Prague.
In technical lectures, the speakers introduced us to two significant recent and historical European projects.
The first presentation was by former Institute of Civil Engineers France Chair Lucy Rew. Her presentation was about the TELT (Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin) part of the new Lyon – Turin rail line. When finished the tunnel will at 57.5km long be the longest in the world.
The second presentation was by Patricia Vergne-Rochès on the Viaduc du Garabit, a cast-iron railway viaduct in the French Massif Central designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1884, which paved the way for his commission to build his famous tower in Paris in 1889, and which has recently been restored.
Both presentations were very well prepared and presented and held the interest of the audience. Each was followed by questions about particular aspects of the projects.
After the lectures the attendees adjourned to the hotel bar, followed by a Czech dinner during which the diners were treated to traditional music by local musicians.
A guided tour on the Sunday morning was fascinating. The local tour guide was well versed in the history of the city and pointed out many buildings of historical and architectural interest.
Prague shares perhaps, with Budapest and Lisbon, the added fascination of being a city with hills. After lunch, Mike Wrigley of the Czech LN gave further insights into the city. To test the group’s fitness and provide another view of the city, his tour led up to the Castle.
The joint LN weekend event was judged a great success, although the number of Germany LN members making the trip to the exotic destination of Prague resulted in the Czech LN members being outnumbered in the end.
Mike Wrigley deserves a special mention for pulling many strings, which contributed to the success of the weekend.