The IET Archives has been awarded Archive Service Accreditation by the National Archives, the UK-wide quality standard for archive services.
The collections have also been awarded Designated Status by the Arts Council England celebrating our collections of national and international importance.
About our archives
The IET Archives are continuously growing as we aim to collect, preserve and make available records relating to the history of the IET (and our predecessor institutions) and the wider STEM community.
If you would like to learn more about donating to us, please contact us in the first instance and look at our Deposit Agreement Form.
If you would like to use our records for your research, please search our online catalogue for descriptions of our collections. We offer a simple enquiry service, however, if you are unable to find what you are looking for by searching this website or our online catalogue, please contact us. For more in-depth research we ask that you make an appointment to view the records.
In preparation for your visit please email us the reference numbers of the collection(s) you wish to view with a minimum of a week’s notice. Using the archives will also help to prepare you before your visit.
Our collections
The IET Archives collects, preserves and makes accessible the records of the IET dating back to its foundation in 1851. It also holds the records of our predecessor institutions. For more information about the Institution’s history see the IET History pages and stories written to celebrate the IET at 150.
The IET Archives contains collections relating to the history and development of STEM subjects. These include the papers and manuscripts of many distinguished individuals alongside a considerable business archive in engineering policy and innovation.
In addition to the archive collections, we have two fine rare book and pamphlet collections. These date from the 14th century to the 20th century and cover the history of electricity and magnetism, amongst other scientific subjects.
We have records relating to the role of women in engineering.
The main collections we hold are the archive of The Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and The Electrical Association for Women (EAW). The papers of Dame Caroline Haslett are also held here.
Both organisations produced their own journals and the IET has digitised them to give full access to a wealth of information that covers women in STEM, social history, gender studies and domestic and technical innovation in the UK since World War I.
Access The Woman Engineer Journal (WES) and The Electrical Age Journal (EAW).
Other resources
We are working with London’s Screen Archives (LSA) to host our digitised film collection. Our films include ‘talking head’ interviews with Faraday Medallists and Honorary Fellows and early Faraday Lectures.
Visit the IET Archives film collection on the LSA website.
Find out more about our many and varied collections in the IET Archives blog.
And see selected images from our collections on the IET Archives Pinterest boards.