Forty years of European microwaves: what about the future?

This paper describes some key points in the history and development of the European Microwave Conference, the European Microwave Week, and the European Microwave Association, starting from 1969. It captures the way in which the conference since the earliest days has sought to create a successful blend of scientific and industry interests and has adapted itself to and indeed shaped the many existing technical changes that have characterized and continue to be at the core of the field of microwave engineering.