The Czochralski technique is currently the most developed method for growing bulk single crystals. The high technical level and degree of process automation make this technique the method of choice for growing and producing high-quality bulk single crystals, such as silicon, a variety of oxides, fluorides and multielement compounds. The historical development and spread of this method is shown from the time of its invention by Jan Czochralski in 1916 until the early 1970s when key modifications were made. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.