The problems of discovery and data management in materials development are discussed. Arbitrarily chosen publications reporting materials or catalyst discoveries based on high throughput technology are summarized and addressed. The strategy for efficient catalyst development, based on variation, selection and composition spread is demonstrated with the development of a low temperature CO-oxidation catalyst free of noble metals. It is also shown, how such a catalysts can be rapidly optimized. High throughput techniques also assisted in making this catalyst stable against moisture through proper doping. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.