Industrial electronics through time

The industrial electronics systems we rely on today are the result of nearly two centuries of technological breakthroughs. From early electrical switching to connected smart factories, each innovation has played a role in shaping modern industry. Looking back at these milestones helps explain how industrial automation evolved into the sophisticated systems used today. 

In the early days of electricity, machines had to be switched on and off manually using hand operated switches. This process was dangerous because operators risked receiving an electric shock. In 1835, Joseph Henry introduced a safer solution: the relay. Instead of manually operating a switch, the relay allowed electrical devices to be controlled electronically and remotely. Initially used in telegraph systems, relays soon became widely adopted across industry. Even today, they remain a reliable and essential switching technology. 

The Second Industrial Revolution, which took place between roughly 1840 and 1917, transformed manufacturing. Electricity and steel replaced steam as the driving forces behind industrial development. These innovations enabled major inventions such as the light bulb and led to the creation of mass production and assembly line manufacturing. Although factories have evolved significantly since then, the assembly line remains a fundamental concept in modern manufacturing. 

A major turning point in electronics came in 1947 with the invention of the transistor. Unlike mechanical switches, the transistor is an electronic component that can control the flow of electricity without moving parts. This made electronic systems more reliable, compact and efficient. As transistor technology advanced, processors began to contain millions of these tiny switches. Today, computers, industrial machines and mobile devices all depend on transistors at their core. 

Industrial automation accelerated in the 1960s with two major innovations. First, the development of the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) in 1968 allowed production processes to be programmed digitally instead of relying on complex wiring and physical switches. Around the same time, engineers developed systems for remote monitoring of industrial processes. These systems eventually evolved into SCADA, which allows operators to supervise and control large industrial facilities from a central location. Together, PLC and SCADA became the foundation of modern industrial automation. 

The next major leap came with the rise of the Internet of Things. Through network connections, machines, sensors and computers can communicate and exchange data in real time. This connectivity allows factories to monitor processes continuously, detect anomalies and predict maintenance needs before failures occur. 

Today, industrial innovation is increasingly focused on sustainability. Companies are working to reduce CO₂ emissions, minimise resource consumption and extend the lifetime of equipment through maintenance, repair and reuse. By balancing technological progress with environmental responsibility, the next generation of industrial electronics will not only improve efficiency but also support a more sustainable future.