IEE Power Division: Chairman´s address. AC/DC: one man´s view

The paper covers the development of electrical power from its earliest days, how it was provided for consumers to utilise, and particularly the dilemma which ensued as to whether the form should be alternating or direct current. Historical examples of early power stations and municipal systems are discussed, developing into long range transmission and extensive distribution. Silicon semiconductor devices became the modern link between AC and DC, so that there was no longer a need for separate DC generation, although still substantial DC utilisation in many industries. Silicon manipulation is enabling more and more sophisticated performance to be extracted from the crystal, with promise of great benefits in the future.