We briefly describe how science, invention, and technology affected and stimulated an unexplored field of material science, disordered and amorphous semiconductors, which resulted in unexpected and useful new physical, electronic, and stereochemical mechanisms. Our special focus is on chalcogenide glasses and the unique electronic devices that are made from these materials. (C) 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim