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Fifteen years' development of technology for interfaces is reviewed beginning with the primitive pushbutton and indicator lamp, and proceeding via keyboards and message displays to the present generation of integrated industrial terminals (illustrated by the Allen Bradley PanelView operator interface in its touch-screen and keyboard versions). The main functions of such terminals are discussed with their opportunities for better appreciation of machine state, for animation and for preventive or remedial maintenance. Facilities for supervision from a remote control room managing all subassemblies of production units are considered. Despite progress from classical wired relaying to highly sophisticated programmed logic, the market for traditional interfaces continues to grow, and a trend back towards analogue displays (though with three colours signifying different degrees of abnormality) is discerned. The Omron voice card is also mentioned and illustrated.