I can hardly believe it. I’ve been in the EDA business since 1980 when I joined TI’s Design Automation Department after graduating from Cal Poly with my BSEE. Since 1995, much of my attention has been focused on EDA standards. I reached a moment of truth this year when I admitted, albeit reluctantly, that I could be called a standards-lifer. So, I decided it’s time to share my perspectives on what’s going on in the standards arena. Welcome to my blog - I can’t wait to hear from you! The IEEE Charles Proteus Steinmetz Award
Posted by Karen B on May 6th, 2010
The IEEE has a prestigious award for individuals who make outstanding contributions to electrical and electronic engineering standards. This year I was appointed to the committee that will select the 2011 recipient. The award is called the “IEEE Charles Proteus Steinmetz Award”, and as the newbie on the selection committee I did a little research I thought I’d share.
Charles Proteus Steinmetz was a fascinating man. He was born in Prussia in 1865 and suffered from severe, genetic birth defects. Yet, he was a brilliant mathematician and physicist. He was also a socialist, which forced him to flee to Zurich when socialist activities were banned by the German government and the German police began investigating him. He ultimately emigrated to the United States at age 24, and after several years decided that socialism would never work in America.
Among other significant accomplishments, inventing and advancing the development of alternating current is attributed to Charles Proteus Steinmetz. Did you know that the first (and maybe the ugliest) standards war was between alternating current and direct current? If you’d like to hear that story, I’ll write about it in a future post.
During his career, Dr. Steinmetz served as President of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) for a couple of years. AIEE merged with the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE), and the organization became the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Thus, naming the award after Dr. Steinmetz not only honors him but also sets the example for recipients of the IEEE Charles Proteus Steinmetz Award.
Who can be nominated? Anyone who had demonstrated important contributions to standards in the fields of electrical or electronic engineering. Who can submit a nomination? Anyone. The only exceptions are people who currently serve in certain authoritative roles within the IEEE.
Details about the award, nomination process, and past recipients can be found on IEEE’s website which will be updated for the 2011 award. If you know anyone who might be eligible to receive the award, be sure to let me know.
“No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions” – Charles Proteus Steinmetz
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