Origin and development of the TPC idea

The emergence of the Time Projection Chamber concept in 1974 is an important chapter in the history of particle detection advances. Recalling an era very different from today, I describe the flow of events from the moment of inspiration through prototypes to realization as a major detector for the Positron-Electron Project (PEP) at SLAC. The sense of excitement in bringing forth a genuine paradigm shift carried the collaboration forward, through struggles, victories, defeats and exhaustion, yet ultimately leading to success.