Power Electronics in IEEE

This is a time of anniversaries, and it is fitting to do as many do on such occasions, which is to reflect on what has been and then to plan for what is to come. Last year at the 1982 International Semiconductor Power Converter Conference (ISPCC) held at Orlando, Florida, we celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the invention of the thyristor. The luncheon speaker at the Conference described the history of the thyristor over the years in a most interesting manner, tracing progress from the very small devices available in the early days to the large power devices which today serve as workhorses of the industry. By now, I be1ieve most of you are aware that the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) will celebrate its lOOth anniversary in 1984. More so than at any other time, a centennial anniversary is a time to look back over the years to review what has been accomplished. A great deal of effort is now being devoted to such a historic review by many IEEE committees in preparation for the anniversary to be ce1ebrated next year. You will undoubtedly hear more about this in the near future. During the past few years, a number of people in the field of Power Electronics have been both looking back over the events of the past and also trying to anticipate the needs of the future. A great many changes have taken place in the field of Power Electronics during the past decade, and it is most interesting to review them with the view of analyzing their significance in relation to what is anticipated for the future. A significant event which has taken place during this period is the emergence of Power Electronics as a valid technological field in its own right. Where at one time the design and analysis of power control circuits were-considered to be minor but necessary tasks required to satisfy major system application needs, Power Electronics Technology has now emerged as a valid endeavor in the overall field of Electrical Engineering.