Historical Phases of EDM Development Driven by the Dual Influence of “Market Pull” and “Science Push”

Electrical discharges are a well-known effect in nature and are accompanied by a lot of physical phenomena, such as light, shock-waves, electromagnetic radiation, high temperature, material transfer and noise. Benjamin Priestley recognized in 1751 marks of material removal as “footprints”, when electrical discharges take place between two electrodes. Josef Priestley described in 1766 the formation of ring-marks with discharges from “Leiden Jars”. Meritens started in 1881 the use of electrical discharges with material transfer for arc-welding purposes, but it took until years around World War 2, before electrical discharges were used for controlled metal removal operations. This application is today nearly 75 years going on and developed to an important industry-branch. The authors analyze the important development steps, driven continuously by two forces, the “Science Push” and the “Market Pull”. The history of EDM is proving the strength and effectiveness of a dual training for applied engineering, developing knowledge and experience in parallel. Important personalities, successful product-developments and applications, and recognized brands will be presented.