A Historical Perspective of the IEEE Computer Society: Six Decades of Growth with the Technology It Represents

The technology that dominated the second half of the 20th century was no doubt the digital electronic computer and its derivatives. The Computer Society of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) was born the same year as the world's first digital computer the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer). As the computer became ever more important to every aspect of life in the civilized world, the Computer Society matched its phenomenal growth to become the largest technical society within IEEE and the largest computing professional society in the world. This paper traces the development of the IEEE Computer Society from its humble beginnings to its many activities today. This historical review shows that throughout its history, the Computer Society has been and continues to be responsive to the technology it represents. The society expands its service as the discipline becomes more encompassing and multifaceted. Moreover, by effectively using the very technology it represents, the leadership of the society not only provides its members with cost-effective services, but also leads the way in designing innovative products that become beneficial to the world at large.