More than 100 important innovations in ceramics in the last 100 years are individually described. These include such major advances as the float glass process, continuous glass fibers and glass wool, the zirconia oxygen sensor, honeycomb ceramics, tape casting and multilayer ceramics, advances in tunnel kilns, low loss optical fiber, dental ceramics, basic oxygen steelmaking refractories, and uranium dioxide as a nuclear fuel. In addition, a summary of progress in ceramics is given that relates ceramic advances to general trends in the progress of science and industrial development.

JOHN B. WACHTMAN, PHD, was Sosman Professor of Ceramics at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Since he received his degree from the University of Maryland in 1961, he has worked as a research scientist, division chief, and director of the Center for Materials Research at the National Bureau of Standards. Dr. Wachtman is the author of several books and holds many awards, honors, and offices in various scientific societies.