A brief sketch of CSIT´s history

CSIT began as a result of a petition^∗ signed by more than 600 Members, Senior Members, and Fellows of the IEEE. The petitioners requested that a professional group be formed to “promote among IEEE members a sensitivity to the impact of their technology on society, and to conceive means to predict and evaluate that impact”. The CSIT petition, coming at a time (February, 1972) when a clear mandate for change within the IEEE was taking place — a mandate to address the professional needs of Electrical Engineers — was additional evidence that the pursuit of technical excellence, although necessary, was no longer sufficient.