IEE Science, Education & Management Division: Chairman´s address. Electrotechnology and economic prosperity

Electrotechnology provides the means of achievement for almost every element in our industrial, commercial and domestic lives. Without electrotechnology, civilised society in its present form would not be feasible. Capability in electrotechnology derives from the intellectual and material resources applied to its development and exploitation, and is essential to the United Kingdom and other industrialised nations dependent on world trade for economic success. From recent evolution and present and likely future trends, the paper identifies the main factors influencing electrotechnology and illustrates the effects on economic prosperity in the United Kingdom. The investment put to education and training through universities and technical colleges is traced. Investment in electrotechnology through research and development, design and production facilities is assessed, and home-market and export performances in electrotechnology are reviewed in terms of applications, value added, import-export balance and future prospects. Specific cases given indicate their place in economic performance. The roles and influences of national Government, the EEC, changing social values, legislation to effect environmental control, and multinational companies are reviewed, and the place of the professional engineer, his management abilities and the organisational structure in which he operates in contributing to electrotechnology are considered. Conclusions and recommendations are made for the long-term planning and actions necessary for the United Kingdom and relevant in any technology-dependent nation.