The foundation of LEOS followed vigorous debate regarding the need for a new Society focused on optoelectronics. The Electron Devices Society and the Microwave Theory and Techniques Society could lay claim to covering the device aspects of the field so why a new Society?
The founding rational of the Society in 1977 (then called the Quantum Electronics and Applications Society) was that optoelectronics would open a whole new world of applications and new systems disciplines. These would go far beyond extensions of electronic devices. At that time, the most visibly important of these new systems were optical communications networks which were still in their infancy as they faced massive unsolved technological hurdles. Forecasting winners was not possible. But we believed that the future was wide open as new and as yet undefined systems would emerge as device technology improved. Therefore, when we picked a name for the new Journal we founded (co-sponsored with OSA) we named it Journal of Lightwave Technology, not Journal of Optical Communications.
History has certainly vindicated the decision to create LEOS. Optoelectronics have become vital to the operations of the modern world. Along with transistors, lasers and optical devices form the key cornerstones of the modern industrial world. Optical communications, enabled by laser diodes, provide the nervous system of the world and made possible the Internet, which can be classified as one of the greatest innovations in history. Light emitting diodes are increasingly replacing other light sources even in general use and enable LCD displays. Lasers of all kinds enable the most sophisticated instruments, industrial machine tools and medical equipment. And let us not forget consumer electronics where DVDs powered by laser diodes have transformed the media industries.