OUR ACTIVITIES
Memorable lectures have included topics as diverse as the building of the Panama Canal, the origins of SI standard measurements and the current Antarctic research programme.
There are normally two 'Voyages' each year of three or four days each, generally but not exclusively to France, where visits to technical or cultural establishments and major construction sites are untaken. The 'Voyages' have equally important and enjoyable technical and social components, and of course, provide the opportunity and time to take-in, enjoy and sample French culture and cuisine.
There are one or two visits in the UK during the year of one or two days which can be to technical or cultural establishments that may be of particular interest to the current President. Recent visits have included the Crossness Pumping Station, a Grade 1 listed site designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, and the Hydraulics Research Station at Wallingford. For details of our 2024 programme please click Programme.
HISTORY
The British Section of the National Council of Engineers and Scientists of France was founded on 27 June 1919 by members of the British Army returning from the war who wished to maintain links with their wartime colleagues in France.
1848:
Revolution. Establishment of the Société Centrale des Ingénieurs Civils 4th March 1848. The first President was Eugène Flachat. A student of George Stephenson, he was responsible for the first French railway lines. This association, renamed Société des Ingénieurs Civils de France, was officially recognised on 22nd December 1860. Gustav Eiffel was President in 1889.
1919:
The British Section of what is now IESF was founded on 27th June by members of the British Army returning from the war and who wished to keep up links with their wartime colleagues in France. The Section became known as 'The French Civils' or 'The Société' (ICF).
1929:
Fédération des Association et Sociétés Français d'Ingénieurs Diplômes (FASID) was formed – a friendly association of past engineering students.
1948:
Union des Associations et Sociétés Industrielles Françaises (UASIF) – this brought together French learned societies.
1957:
Conseil National des Ingénieurs Français (CNIF) – represented French engineers as a whole.
1978:
UASIF amalgamated with ICF to become the Société des Ingénieurs et Scientifiques de France (ISF).
1992:
FASFID, CNIF and ISF, now the three greatest engineering organisations in France, amalgamated to form: Conseil
National des Ingénieurs et des Scientifiques de France. The CNISF became the French Member of FEANI (Fédération Européenne des Association Nationales d'Ingénieurs) and the WFEO (World Federation of Engineers Organisations) and has a membership of more than 600,000 engineers and scientists.
2011:
Adoption of new more 'commercial' title and logo - Ingénieurs et Scientifiques de France (IESF). The new name was validated by decree in 2013.
2019:
The IESF (British Section) celebrates its centenary.
For more information browse online L'Entente Cordiale – 100 years of the British Section of IESF click Link.
An Anglo-French Connection with Engineering and Science