IEEE.orgIEEE Xplore Digital LibraryIEEE StandardsMore Sites
    Sign InJoin IEEE
    FOR THE TECHNOLOGY INSIDER
    Explore by topic
    AerospaceAIBiomedicalClimate TechComputingConsumer ElectronicsEnergyHistory of TechnologyRoboticsSemiconductorsTelecommunicationsTransportation
    IEEE Spectrum
    FOR THE TECHNOLOGY INSIDER

    Topics

    AerospaceAIBiomedicalClimate TechComputingConsumer ElectronicsEnergyHistory of TechnologyRoboticsSemiconductorsTelecommunicationsTransportation

    Sections

    FeaturesNewsOpinionCareersDIYEngineering Resources

    More

    NewslettersSpecial ReportsCollectionsExplainersTop Programming LanguagesRobots Guide ↗IEEE Job Site ↗

    For IEEE Members

    Current IssueMagazine ArchiveThe InstituteThe Institute Archive

    For IEEE Members

    Current IssueMagazine ArchiveThe InstituteThe Institute Archive

    IEEE Spectrum

    About UsContact UsReprints & Permissions ↗Advertising ↗

    Follow IEEE Spectrum

    Support IEEE Spectrum

    IEEE Spectrum is the flagship publication of the IEEE — the world’s largest professional organization devoted to engineering and applied sciences. Our articles, videos, and infographics inform our readers about developments in technology, engineering, and science.
    Subscribe
    About IEEEContact & SupportAccessibilityNondiscrimination PolicyTermsIEEE Privacy PolicyCookie PreferencesAd Privacy Options
    © Copyright 2025 IEEE — All rights reserved. A public charity, IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

    Enjoy more free content and benefits by creating an account

    Saving articles to read later requires an IEEE Spectrum account

    The Institute content is only available for members

    Downloading full PDF issues is exclusive for IEEE Members

    Downloading this e-book is exclusive for IEEE Members

    Access to Spectrum 's Digital Edition is exclusive for IEEE Members

    Following topics is a feature exclusive for IEEE Members

    Adding your response to an article requires an IEEE Spectrum account

    Create an account to access more content and features on IEEE Spectrum , including the ability to save articles to read later, download Spectrum Collections, and participate in conversations with readers and editors. For more exclusive content and features, consider Joining IEEE .

    Join the world’s largest professional organization devoted to engineering and applied sciences and get access to all of Spectrum’s articles, archives, PDF downloads, and other benefits. Learn more about IEEE →

    Join the world’s largest professional organization devoted to engineering and applied sciences and get access to this e-book plus all of IEEE Spectrum’s articles, archives, PDF downloads, and other benefits. Learn more about IEEE →

    CREATE AN ACCOUNTSIGN IN
    JOIN IEEESIGN IN
    Close

    Access Thousands of Articles — Completely Free

    Create an account and get exclusive content and features: Save articles, download collections, and post comments — all free! For full access and benefits, subscribe to Spectrum.

    CREATE AN ACCOUNTSIGN IN

    Allison Marsh

    Allison Marsh is a professor in Women and Gender Studies at the University of South Carolina and codirector of the university’s Ann Johnson Institute for Science, Technology & Society. She combines her interests in engineering, history, and museum objects to write the Past Forward column, which tells the story of technology through historical artifacts. Marsh is currently working on a book on the history of women in electrical engineering.

      Allison Marsh

      Allison Marsh is a professor in Women and Gender Studies at the University of South Carolina and codirector of the university’s Ann Johnson Institute for Science, Technology & Society. She combines her interests in engineering, history, and museum objects to write the Past Forward column, which tells the story of technology through historical artifacts. Marsh is currently working on a book on the history of women in electrical engineering.

        Articles by
        Photo of an old-fashioned yellow and green stove and oven with a logo that says Lionel.
        History of TechnologyMagazineArticlePast ForwardConsumer ElectronicsDecember 2025

        This Toy Electric Stove Was Dangerously Realistic

        The Lionel stove had a working oven, two burners, and no safety features

        30 Nov 2025
        6 min read
        Color photo of a large 1950s black sedan with a white roof and white-walled tires.
        History of TechnologyMagazineNovember 2025ArticlePast ForwardTransportationConsumer Electronics

        In 1953, the Ford X-100 Concept Car Had It All

        Heated seats, a radio phone, even an electric shaver in the glove box

        31 Oct 2025
        6 min read
        Photo of a prototype electronic device consisting of a rectangular base, with a circuit board and other components perched atop a black rod and looping wires connecting the pieces together.
        History of TechnologyMagazineArticlePast ForwardSemiconductorsOctober 2025Consumer Electronics

        RCA’s VideoDisc Gamble Paid Off in Chips

        How RCA’s failed VideoDisc launched a scanning microscope

        17 Sep 2025
        8 min read

        Trending Stories

        The most-read stories on IEEE Spectrum right now

        EnergyNewsClimate TechClimate Change

        Big Tech Backs Small Nuclear

        TransportationNews

        YASA's Motors Are What Makes Supercars Super

        BiomedicalNews

        Glucose Monitor Accuracy Claims Fall Short for Users

        About IEEEContact & SupportAccessibilityNondiscrimination PolicyTermsIEEE Privacy PolicyCookie PreferencesAd Privacy Options
        © Copyright 2025 IEEE — All rights reserved. A public charity, IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.