A symposium to mark the dissolution of the Netherlands Electronics and Radio Society (NERG) was held at the Museum for Communication in The Hague on 20 April 2016. This society was founded on 29 May 1920 as Nederlandsch Radio Genootschap (NRG). At the general membership meeting on 16 December 2013, the NERG had already decided to transfer its activities to the KIVI Telecommunications Department.

Prior to the symposium, the final general membership meeting took place where the formal dissolution decision was taken.

The first presentation of the symposium was given by NERG former chairman Wim van Etten. With "Thoughts on the dissolution of NERG", he gave a retrospective and overview of the history, development of NERG and the reasons for dissolving NERG. Of these, internationalisation in the field is the main reason. This development was already recognised in earlier discussions on the future of NERG and has only continued thereafter.

This prompted Eric Berkers to explain the origins of the NERG and its development over time, as well as its importance on a scientific level with the many publications (see NERG periodicals) of the Dutch (Electronics &) Radio Society (NERG). The interaction and strained relationship with the radio amateurs (united in NVVL) was also highlighted.

The NERG commissioned the Foundation for the History of Technology to write a booklet on the history of the N(E)RG. This booklet was written by Eric Berkers, historian at this foundation. During the symposium, he gave a presentation in which he focused on the origins of the NRG and its international character in the early years. He also discussed the role of the N(E)RG in the examination of radio technicians. After the symposium, all attendees were given a copy of the booklet.

Other members of the NERG and the Telecommunications Department of the KIVI will receive / were sent the booklet at home.

The published booklet "The history of the NERG" can be downloaded here.

Huib Ekkelenkamp then managed to describe the establishment of radio links between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies in a fascinating way. He discussed the reasons for establishing this connection, described the various transmitting and receiving stations and the main persons involved in this development. A number of publications in the Journal of the NERG were also mentioned.

Dirk van Delft, director of Museum Boerhave in Leiden, captivatingly made the theme of technology & communication visible by relating it to many interesting facts and famous scientists, which can be found in Museum Boerhave in Leiden. He also hinted at the revamped museum, which will open to the public on 17 April 2017. An impression of the summary of the NERG symposium has been put on youtube

The conclusion of the NERG was captured on Video (on YouTube)

Description

As a conclusion of the NERG and the transition to the KIVI, Telecommunications Department, a symposium will be held on Wednesday 20 April 2016 at the Museum for Communication in The Hague, to which we cordially invite you.

Please note:
KIVI members must be logged in first when registering. Then the correct registration form will appear.
NERG members and guests can register using the registration form below.

Although the Museum for Communication is currently closed to visitors, an exception applies for this activity!

Speaker(s)

Wim van Etten was professor of telecommunications at the University of Twente and president of the NERG for over six years. He studied electrical engineering and obtained his PhD from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology. He has numerous publications to his name, including a large number in the field of optical communication.

Huib Ekkelenkamp studied electrical engineering and telecommunications at Delft University of Technology and worked at TNO, PTT-KPN and Atos in the field of radio communication, network planning and IT systems for telecom operators, including many years in Indonesia and Eastern Europe.

Eric Berkers is a historian and works at the Foundation for the History of Technology (SHT). On behalf of the NERG, he wrote the brief history of the society on the occasion of its dissolution.

Dirk van Delft is director of Museum Boerhaave and extraordinary professor of Material Heritage of the Natural Sciences at Leiden University. He studied physics in Leiden and obtained his PhD with a biography of cold pioneer Heike Kamerlingh Onnes

Location

Museum for Communication in the Van Royen room

Zeestraat 80-82, 2518 AD The Hague

Organiser

Telecommunications

Name and contact details for information

ir. W.J. van der Kamp at the e-mail address below

w.vdkamp@kadatec.eu

Documents