Laboratories, professional societies, industrial stakes and networks. A contribution to the history of the contemporary research on electrostatics (1950-2000)

The birth and development of modern societies and networks in Electrostatics are analyzed, with a focus on the industrial and social needs underpinning these efforts. A particular emphasis is put on the 1965-1980 period when most of the organization of this field has occurred. Key people and industrial issues were identified with the help of a questionnaire sent to senior researchers in the field. The position and visibility of research in Electrostatics are analyzed.