Fibre composite materials were quite well researched in WW 2 and after but failed to make great impact because a stiff and unavailable fibre was lacking. This situation changed dramatically in the early 1960s and the author recounts this and the personalities involved in the invention of high performance carbon fibre (all of whom he knew personally at the time). The requisite stiffness of composites is known and it is understood how to use it in engineering situations. The problem of toughness of fibre composites is less well understood. Some of the impressive artefacts made from fibre composites are described and their use in the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 described in a little detail. Some of the problems of the use of composites and possible solutions are descried.

Keywords: carbon fibre, stiffness, fracture toughness, aircrafts, pressure vessels.