From PGUE to G-SU to UFFC-S, 1953-1997 a historical perspective

The need for a distinct forum for ultrasonic engineering technology prompted a group of concerned engineers and scientists to petition the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) for the formation of the Professional Group on Ultrasonic Engineering (PGUE) in 1953. Within the first year the newly formed group grew in membership to several hundred, sponsored technical sessions at the National Electronic Conference, Acoustical Society Symposium, and IRE National Convention, and had published the first issue of the Transactions. The Group chose as its focus, ultrasonic measurements, communications, and processing, with emphasis on applications, devices, techniques, and associated circuitry. In 1963 the membership voted to change the name to the Professional and Technical Group on Sonics and Ultrasonics. In 1985 we became the IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control (UFFC) Society to reflect the expanded interests of the Society. The UFFC Society sponsors the annual Ultrasonics Symposium, the biennial International Symposium on Applications of Ferroelectrics and the annual International Frequency Control Symposium. In the past 45 years our Society has grown and flourished as a top technical IEEE society through its symposia, publications, member sponsorship and awards, and its cooperative activities with other technical societies. We presently have 2200 members in 68 countries. The society has remained strong through the foresight and wisdom of its outstanding volunteer leadership and the strong support of its members.