Creating the IEEE Code of Ethics

The origins of the IEEE Code of Ethics can be traced back to 1906 when the president of AIEE gave an address that led to the creation of a "Code of Principles of Professional Conduct," adopted in 1912. Following the 1963 merger of AIEE and IRE, a new code of ethics for IEEE was adopted in 1974 and revised in 1979 and 1987. In 1990 a shorter code was adopted, with content and wording more appropriate for a worldwide membership. In 2006 the word, engineering, was deleted in one sentence. Related activities in other organizations are discussed in an addendum.