The birth of a Hi-Tech Society: First steps in Electronics and Computing in Israel

The State of Israel is nowadays a developed country, with about 7 Million inhabitants and a well developed Hi-Tech community. This community grew up gradually since the establishment of the State in 1948, through joint efforts of Educational and Scientific Institutes, the entrepreneurial spirit of Engineers and Technicians, and a steady influx of technological knowledge (partially by IEEE). Today, Israel has one of the highest percentages in the world of home computers per capita and is an R&D pioneer in software, telecommunications, biotech and the life sciences. This paper deals with the first steps in absorbing new technologies during the early years (1948-1955), and with people who led those activities.