History of the Department
Pioneering years
1856
First lecture by Prof. Rudolf Immanuel Clausius on the theory of electricity and magnetism
1882
Definitive introduction of the field of electrical engineering within the framework of physics and the mechanical-technical division
1912
Foundation of the Electrotechnical Institute, housed in the Federal Physics building at Gloriastrasse 35
In the picture from left to right: Herr Klein, Prof. Kuhlmann, Herr Forrer, Herr Dapples (theoretical electrical engineering and electrical mechanical engineering), 1912
1935
Establishment of the Division of Electrical Engineering by separation from the Division of Mechanical Engineering with 241 enrolled students. It consisted of the following subdivisions:
- Applied Electrical Engineering (Prof. B. Bauer)
- Electromechanical Engineering (Prof. E. Dünner)
- Technical Physics (Prof. F. Fischer)
- Low-voltage Engineering (Prof. J. Forrer)
- Theoretical Electrical Engineering (Prof. K. Kuhlmann)
- Railway Engineering (Prof. W. Kummer)
- High-frequency Engineering (Prof. F. Tank)
Milestones
1950
Completion of the front building of Electrical Engineering (ETF) at Sternwartstrasse 7, which houses two lecture halls and several institutes
As of 1970
Evaluation of lessons by students at various chairs. First electronic tools used for individual learning and for instant feedback from students in lectures
1973
Completion of the Electrical Engineering laboratory building (ETL) at Physikstrasse 3 with a larger high-voltage laboratory, rooms for electrical machines and part of the laboratory for automation and industrial electronics
1980
Completion of the central building of Electrical Engineering (ETZ) at Gloriastrasse 35 as a replacement for the Federal Physics building from 1890, which had been demolished in 1977
1983-1994
Gradual expansion of the division of computer engineering and communication networks, significant reinforcement in the field of microelectronics
1987
Bernhard Plattner, Professor of Computer Engineering, connects Switzerland to the Internet
1989
Foundation of the Department of Electrical Engineering (D-ELEK) as an extension of the Division of Electrical Engineering to one of the largest decentralized units of ETH Zurich
1996
First version of the website of the Department online at www.ee.ethz.ch
1997
Creation of the cross-departmental FIRST laboratory as a prerequisite for top performance in the field of micro and nanotechnology
2001
Foundation of the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET), which seamlessly emerges from the Department of Electrical Engineering. The name change reflects the central dual role of electricity in the economy and society - it carries information and energy. Among other things, the distinction points to the fact that developments in the two areas differ significantly.
2002
Restructuring of the study programme according to the Bachelor's/Master's model, taking on a pioneering role at the Swiss level.
“For the layman, electricity from the socket and mobile phone in the pocket are a matter of course. Experts know that the added value is to be found less and less in the tangible hardware but in the volatile software.”Prof. em. Albert Kündig (2005)
D-ITET today: Pioneering work and top performance
Research at D-ITET addresses the global challenges of sustainable energy, digital data transmission and processing, and healthcare. These challenges are reflected in a growing number of key research topics.
- Approxim. 500 scientific and administrative employees
- 17 institutes and chairs
- 36 Professors, of which 4 women
- Approxim. 1‘100 students
