There are currently eighteen technology committees within OES, all geared towards providing focus on a particular specialty within the broad field of ocean engineering. The Underwater Connector Committee has recently reformed, after a few years of absence, and I am honored to serve as the new Chair. But this Committee needs a co-chair and a vice-chair, and with many of you having tremendous knowledge of this field, I hope to solicit your service and participation to this often taken-for-granted important technology area! But first, and for fun, let’s take a look at the brief history of underwater connectors, as documented by stories from the field and from journal papers. As we take a fond look at the history, may we be thinking of how many of you have advanced the field and have much to share, and how bright the future looks for the industry.
    Very few underwater connectors existed before WWII. The earliest electrical connectors consisted of conventional pin and socket terminals, covered in a piece of surgical rubber tubing overlapping the jacket on either side. The ends of the tubing were then tied tightly with string to mechanically seal the electrical conductors. Underwater connectors did not appear on the commercial market until the 1950s. These first connectors were called Type I connectors. The two halves were made of rubber. Silicon grease was applied to the conductors to form a water tight seal, and when mated above water, these connectors provided successful connections. Since the 1950s, other approaches, particularly to wet connectors, made their appearance. These technologies include diaphragm puncture (patented in 1955), inductive power transfer, grease or fluid filled with diaphragm, oil-filled piston wiping, pin and socket, vented pin and socket, and fiber optic connectors. Many technological strides have now evolved connectors into devices able to mate-demate multiple conductors and optical fibers, either as wet connections or dry connectors.
    Today underwater connectors are a critical component in oceanic systems; with applications in scientific endeavors, port security, oil and gas, military, and communications. The continued development of connectors is driven by the need for high reliability in increasingly hostile environments and by the desire for greater bandwidths. The goal of the Underwater Connector Committee is to provide an avenue for technical information exchange, and promote cooperation and coordination among small technology companies, and large defense contractors, military, government, academia, and not-for-profit communities. The Committee encourages free and open discussion of all relevant topics and provides workshops focusing on all aspects of underwater connector technology and economics. I look forward to serving this committee!
    If you would like to participate and/or assist with this committee, please contact me at purvinis@ieee.org.