The rapid industrialisation of the world was driven by an improved ability to utilise chemical energy. Unfortunately harnessing explosive energy did not come cheaply given the hundreds of lost lives. However, the modem explosives industry has made significant technological achievements, for explosives are now considered to be both safe and extremely effective._x000D_
Upon closer inspection, it would appear the key to this achievement has been the development of initiation systems._x000D_
While the focus may have been originally on safety, modem developments have concentrated upon harnessing the benefits of initiation control. Before attempting to gaze into the future, it is worth reviewing some of the significant advances that have occurred.