One of the outstanding advantages of TPE's can be summarized in a single phrase: They allow rubberlike articles to be produced using the rapid processing techniques developed by the thermoplastic industry. The commercial development of TPE's enabled the rubber industry to utilize new processing techniques including blow molding, comolding and coextrusion, hot melt coating of pressure sensitive adhesives, and direct injection molding. New products, new processing techniques, new properties, and new applications have been experienced in the last decade. All this is reflected in this general introduction to the subject.