When Conrad Roentgen discovered X-rays and published his findings on New Year's Day in 1896, he knew he'd made photons pass through solid objects to manifest an observable result, but he couldn't have imagined the impact on the electronics industry of the 20th century. When Robert Millikan published his findings on measuring the charge of an electron in 1910, he verified the 1905 Einstein theory of the photoelectric effect and the quantum nature of light. Little did he realize the work would lead to the harnessing of the electron for use in computing, communications and control.

As we step into the next millennium, we should take a moment to ponder the electron-based achievements of the past century. We have come full circle, from observing the works and measuring the effect of a single electron to manipulating those electrons into the nano-building blocks that shape everyday life.

It took physicists to open the atomic doors, but it took electrical engineers to let the general public through the threshold.

In this special issue, the first of our "Millennium Series: The Century of the Engineer," we acknowledge the fruits of the labor of the industry's pioneers. Like all major movements that transform society, the electronics industry bred technologies, companies and people whose impact was initially misread by peers or by the public at large. We concentrate here on those technologies and the people behind them, retracing the steps the technologists took as they passed milestone after milestone.

Looking back over the past 100 years, it is easy to mistake the hurdles and disappointments of discovery for mere transitional blips in the smooth evolution of electronics. Here we herald those whose feats were ahead of their time, underappreciated or overhyped.

Have a happy and healthy 2000.

Nic Mokhoff
Editor, Special Issues