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SPIE

Logo: SPIE, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

International not-for-profit professional society for optics and photonics technology

SPIE (formerly the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers, later the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers) is an international not-for-profit professional society for optics and photonics technology, founded in 1955. It organizes technical conferences, trade exhibitions, and continuing education programs for researchers and developers in the light-based fields of physics, including: optics, photonics, and imaging engineering (e.g., superlenses).2 It is headquartered in Bellingham.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

Jul 1, 1955Founded1
  • Industryhigher education1
  • HeadquartersBellingham1
  • Founded inCalifornia1
  • Websitespie.org
  • Slogan“Connecting Minds. Advancing Light.”1

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SPIE (formerly the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers, later the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers) is an international not-for-profit professional society for optics and photonics technology, founded in 1955. It organizes technical conferences, trade exhibitions, and continuing education programs for researchers and developers in the light-based fields of physics, including: optics, photonics, and imaging engineering (e.g., superlenses).2

Former names

  • SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering1981 to 20071
  • Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers1964 to 19811
  • Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineersuntil 19641

Timeline

  1. 2007Renamed Name changed to SPIE1
  2. 1981Renamed Name changed to SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering1
  3. Jul 1, 1955Founded Founded in California1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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