We asked executives to offer perspectives on milestones in their industry or technology area that occurred during the past 40 years. Did their industry exist 40 years ago, and if not, what brought about its creation? Maybe it experienced its greatest growth during that time. And what are their expectations for the coming years?

Data Acquisition & Sensing: Grant Maloy Smith

President and CEO, Dewetron, Inc.

Software: Dominic Gallello

President & CEO, MSC Software Corporation

Software: Svante Littmarck

President & CEO, COMSOL, Inc.

Internet of Things: Alex Iuorio

Senior Vice President, Supplier Management and Business Development, Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas

Test & Measurement: Dr. James Truchard

President, CEO, and Co-Founder, National Instruments

Robotics: Chetan Kapoor

Senior Director of Technology Innovation, Yaskawa America, Motoman Robotics Division

Software: Jon Hirschtick

Founder and Chairman of the Board, Onshape

Robotics: Jim Lawton

Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Rethink Robotics

Test & Measurement: Jay Alexander

Chief Technology Officer, Keysight Technologies, Inc.