Five Phases of Weak Neutral Current Experiments from the Perspective of a Theorist

I give my personal perspective on the past, present, and future of weak neutral current experiments, emphasizing the experimental inputs; the theoretical difficulties and inputs; the role of model independent and global analyses; and the implications at each stage. • Introductory Comments • The Discovery Phase (unification) • The Second Generation (the standard model confirmed) • The Third Generation (precision tests; radiative corrections) • The LEP Era (high precision; mt; new physics searches) • The Future (complement to colliders) Invited talk presented at 30 Years of Neutral Currents. From Weak Neutral Currents to the (W)/Z and Beyond, Santa Monica, February 1993.