Why we’re here

This issue marks our Golden Anniversary—the first issue appeared in September 1954—and honestly, we couldn't be more proud. Not just because we've endured this long as a publication, but because we continue to be the preferred magazine for manufacturing engineers and operators. The high opinion our target subscribers have of Control Engineering tells us that we're meeting and exceed...

By David Greenfield, Editorial Director September 1, 2004

This issue marks our Golden Anniversary—the first issue appeared in September 1954—and honestly, we couldn’t be more proud. Not just because we’ve endured this long as a publication, but because we continue to be the preferred magazine for manufacturing engineers and operators. The high opinion our target subscribers have of Control Engineering tells us that we’re meeting and exceeding expectations. As editorial director, I know it also means we must remain ever vigilant of your concerns to maintain and improve upon that standing in your eyes. That’s why I went straight to the source when it came time to prepare our editorial calendar for 2005—directly polling thousands of you to find out what topics you most want to see us cover in the year ahead. The input received was considered by all staff editors prior to our 2005 planning meeting and has resulted in an array of topics that cover all principal areas identified by you as important.

Just as we regularly cover what you need to know on a day-to-day basis, we also work to keep you looking ahead at advances that are coming your way. By concentrating on the practical here-and-now while keeping our heads up to the new technologies that may now seem far-fetched (much as electronic controls must have appeared to your predecessors using pneumatic controls when Control Engineering launched), the editors here are constantly focused on keeping you well informed.

The special 50thAnniversary insert in this issue adds an extra dose of useful, practical insight—perspective on the industry’s past, consideration of issues making a difference today, and predictions about what’s in store for control engineers—delivered by high-profile industry individuals: Ed Kompass, former editorial director of Control Engineering who worked on the very first issue; Jerry Gipson, director of Engineering Technology, and Eric C. Cosman, automation architect, The Dow Chemical Co.; Chet Vaughn, acting chief engineer for the International Space Station at Boeing Co.; Dr. Irving Lefkowitz, professor emeritus of systems engineering at Case Western Reserve University and vice president and cofounder of ControlSoft Inc.; Andrew McDonald, Global Automation and Control manager, Unilever Home and Personal Care North America; and Jerry Yen, manager of the Common Controls Technologies group within the Manufacturing Engineering organization in General Motors Powertrain and OMAC board member.

We hope you enjoy this special issue as much as we enjoy bringing Control Engineering to you.

dgreenfield@reedbusiness.com