100 Years of the International Union of Radio Science

Abstract

In 1919, shortly after the end of World War I, a small number of countries created the International Research Council and, with it, four scientifi c Unions, of which one was the Union Internationale de Radiotélégraphie Scientifi que. The fi rst General Assembly was held in 1922, and in 1928 the Union changed its name to the Union Radioscientifi que Internationale (URSI) or the International Union of Radio Science. Since then URSI has grown from its original three members to over forty members and its areas of research have substantially evolved. However, a constant through the last century has been the dual strands of scientifi c research using radio techniques, and applied research to support the ever-growing application of electromagnetic waves and signals. Sometimes one has been in the ascendancy in URSI, sometimes the other. It seems very likely that this duality will continue into the second century, albeit with diff erent emphases as topics wax and wane. This centennial publication presents an eclectic compendium of articles from twenty Member Committees and all ten Commissions, plus one overview historical article. Each article has a diff erent emphasis, with some focused on individuals and others on particular topics. Together we hope they provide a valuable historical narrative and much interesting reading.