User:Pecky10/Society of Light & Lighting (SLL)

The Society of Light & Lighting (SLL) is a professional membership organisation based in the United Kingdom serving the interest of anyone involved in the art and science of light and lighting. It is part of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

History
The Society is the oldest lighting organisation in the UK, with its history dating back to 1909 and the formation of the Illuminating Engineering Society. In February 1909, Leon Gaster, a consulting engineer, called an informal dinner for like-minded individuals at the Criterion restaurant in Piccadilly, London. At the dinner, he is reported to have said,

''“In advocating the formation of such a Society we have no desire to do more than provide a common platform where all those interested in illumination may be able to express their views in a free and informal manner... We naturally hope that in time, ‘expert illuminating engineers’ will have a professional existence and will, even though few in number, be entitled to claim the distinction that the name implies.”''

On November 18th of that year, the inaugural meeting of the IES took place at the Royal Society of Arts, by which time the membership was 157. The Chair was taken by Professor Silvanus P Thompson, the first IES President. Leon Gaster was appointed Hon. Secretary with J S Dow as his assistant. Gaster remained Hon. Secretary until his death in 1928.

Categories of Membership
The Society has a five different grades of membership, three of which carry designatory postnominals.

Fellow (FSLL) Member (MSLL) Associate Member (AMSLL) Affiliate Student

Anyone interested in light and lighting can become a member at Affiliate grade; the higher grades of membership require varying degrees of lighting qualification and experience.

Honorary Fellows
The Society has a number of Honorary Fellows; these are people who have made a distinguished contribution to the lighting industry and/or the Society.

Baroness Betty Boothroyd Jonathan David David Loe Kevin McCloud Jonathan Speirs Janet Turner