Born from the garages of entrepreneurs, the analytical instrumentation industry's first 25 years were marked by invention and the establishment of core technologies. Invention continues, but the past 25 years are better characterized as a time of perfecting and reengineering, pushing limits, and consolidation - of the technologies and the industry. The specifications arms race continues as the players try to stay on technology's leading edge, but new technology introductions have been rare. Instead, the industry debuts faster, smaller, and more economical products that are customer-focused and user friendly. Hybridization is becoming common. An industry once driven by inward facing R&D departments is now driven by market demands.