Upcoming book will detail history of Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Published: Feb 26, 2025 7:00 AM
By Joe McAdory
What do the first X-ray in the U.S., the first portable electric hearing aid and Thomas Edison have in common? Auburn University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
From its fledgling beginnings with laboratories in Langdon Hall and Old Main in the 19th century to today’s modern home in Broun Hall, electrical and computer engineering is one of the most accomplished departments since Auburn University was founded in 1856.
“Arcs & Sparks and Bits & Bytes,” an upcoming book penned by Auburn University alumnus Art Slotkin (‘68, aerospace engineering), will offer a detailed chronological history of this celebrated department, complete with detailed technological breakthroughs, leadership changes and alumni success stories. This comprehensive volume traces the department's journey from its humble beginnings to its status as a leader in education.
“It’s a case study in electrical engineering,” said Slotkin, who has published multiple books on various departments and the growth of Auburn University. “Alumni of the College of Engineering and electrical and computer engineering, in particular, will be very interested in this book.”
ECE Chair Mark Nelms said the book recognizes the department’s storied history of excellence as one of the oldest academic units on campus.
“This book chronicles the department's pivotal role in shaping some of the brightest minds in the industry, driving groundbreaking research and contributing significantly to technological advancements,” he said. “Our faculty and alumni have consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation and leadership, making lasting impacts in both academia and the global engineering community. It was important to chronicle this department's long history to preserve and celebrate the legacy of its contributions, inspire future generations and highlight the remarkable journey of progress and achievement.
“I encourage alumni, friends of the college and industry to grab a copy and delve into the remarkable journey of our department's legacy and achievements. After all, where would we be without electricity?” Nelms added.
The book delves into the department's early challenges, including financial struggles and a devastating fire that destroyed the original college building, Old Main. It highlights the pivotal role of President William L. Broun in establishing the electrical engineering department and the significant contributions of A. Foster McKissick, who as a researcher in 1896 used the school’s facilities to photograph the world’s first X-ray from the basement in Samford Hall.
Readers will find stories of notable alumni, such as Charles H. Smith, who became an executive at Westinghouse, and Walter M. Riggs, who later served as president of Clemson University. Readers will learn about the dynamic contributions of 1897 alumnus Miller Reese Hutchison — a man of more than 1,000 patents and inventor of the first portable hearing aid (akouphone). Hutchison, Thomas Edison’s chief engineer, even delivered the first wireless message to his boss — from Auburn to New Jersey — in 1913.
The book also celebrates milestones in diversity, including the achievements of Maria Rogan Whitson, the Auburn Engineering’s first female graduate.
“Auburn’s groundbreaking research is quite historic,” said Slotkin, who began writing this book in summer 2024. “There are even connections to wireless communications in World War I. Much of the department’s early work revolved around communications technology and power generation before Auburn was considered as a research university.
“Countless hours of research provided me with the opportunity to learn so much about the history of electrical and computer engineering at Auburn. I am happy this book will provide readers with that same opportunity.”
Copies of the book will be available later this spring. Contact ece@eng.auburn.edu for more information.
Media Contact: , jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447
Charles Dunstan, son of professor Arthur St. Charles Dunstan, at the controls of WAPI Radio in 1926.
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