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IET @150 'Our stories'

Stories written and researched using the IET Archives collections tracing the 150-year history of the Institution.

We can trace our rich history back to the foundation of the Society of Telegraph Engineers, which held its first meeting in London back in May 1871.

We’re one of the world’s oldest professional institutions and have a global community of incredible volunteers, members and partners spanning all disciplines of engineering and technology.

Although the world has changed since those Victorian days, one thing that still connects us with our history is that engineers continue to solve many of the challenges facing communities across the globe – making an ongoing difference to the world around us.

IET Lectures

Find out more about the fascinating history of our lectures and which big names in STEM have delivered their world-changing work to our members and the wider public. 

Go to A history of the IET Lectures

IET Christmas Holiday Lectures

The Christmas Holiday Lectures were established in 1946 and were aimed at a younger audience, combining lively education with practical demonstrations.

Go to A history of the IET Christmas Holiday Lectures

The Faraday Lectures

The Faraday Lectures were established in 1923. This series of lectures were aimed at the general public and originally sent on tour throughout the country. They were delivered by a team of eminent engineers. 

Go to A history of the Faraday Lectures

History of the IEE Wiring Regulations

The Wiring Regulations have changed inconceivably since the First Edition was published on 11 May 1882. Read our overview to find out how and why these changes are so important. 

Go to A brief history of the Wiring Regulations

The IET Charter

A tale of two charters - read the story of ambition and opposition which finally led to the granting of our own charter in 1921. 

Go to A history of our Charter

The IET Library and Archives

Collecting publications was a vital part of the early activities of engineering institutions. Find out how we have been collecting and preserving this knowledge since 1871 and the addition of some very interesting rare books. 

Go to IET Library history

Institution Membership

The history of any professional institution is, at heart, a history of its members. The IET was formed from over 40 predecessor organisations, find out more about their stories and the different intentions of their respective founder members.

Go to Institution membership

Membership - categories and qualifications

Our institution does not remain static and this is reflected in the need to adapt and evolve. Find out how this is reflected in our membership categories and qualifications, from telegraph engineers to present day. 

Go to Membership qualifications

The Kelvin Lectures

In honour of Lord Kelvin, Honorary Member and former President of the IEE three times, a series of lectures were established in 1908. Delivered by the most distinguished of scientists and engineers the Institution's longest running lecture series continues today. 

 

Go to A history of the IET Kelvin Lectures

An Institution on film

Watch a montage film created using archive footage to celebrate 150 years of the IET. 

Go to IET Archive film

IET@150 Community History Project

As part of our 150th anniversary we asked our international Communities to share their story with us. Read here about our local network's history and achievements spanning the UK, EMEA, Asia Pacific, South Asia, Americas, and beyond.

Go to IET Community histories

IET@150 My Story - an oral history project

Hear the stories from past and present members, volunteers and staff as they remember their time with the Institution.

Go to My Story - oral history interviews

Online resources celebrating the IET 

We’re upgrading our systems, and this includes changes to our customer and member account log in, MyIET. It’s part of our big picture plan to deliver a great experience for you and our wider engineering community.

Whilst most of our websites remain available for browsing, it will not be possible to log in to purchase products or access services from Thursday, 17 April to Wednesday, 30 April 2025. Our Member Relations team is here to help and for many of our services, including processing payments or orders, we’ll be able to support you over the phone on +44 (0)1438 765678 or email via membership@theiet.org.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

For further information related to specific products and services, please visit our FAQs webpage.

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