The U.S. basis of electromagnetic measurements

The undersigned believe that the following material, describing the national basis of electromagnetic measurements, deserves the thoughtful consideration of all members of the IEEE, and we have recommended that it be brought to their attention through this publication. The size and importance of the electrical and electronics industry is clear to all members of the IEEE without the need of statistics. What may not be so clear is that this whole industry must rest on a uniform base of accurate and precise measurement if it is to achieve in practice the results which physicists and engineers find possible in principle. That base can only be provided by the National Bureau of Standards. However, the provision of a uniform base of measurement is costly in manpower, laboratory space, equipment, and time because of the great scope of electromagnetic quantities in kind, frequency, magnitude, and accuracy. There is a strong indication, from some of the material presented, that the provision of that base has not kept pace with the growth of the industry. We believe that the National Bureau of Standards is making strong efforts to discharge the task assigned to it by Congress, but we also believe that the importance and magnitude of the problem call for understanding and support from outside NBS. It is from this standpoint that we recommend to members of the profession the reading of this article.