Abstract: Metallic glasses have been in development over the last half century, and are currently at the cutting edge of research. As a new type of glassy material, they are of considerable significance in condensed matter physics, materials science, and engineering. Their unique structural features and outstanding mechanical, physical and chemical properties provide a model system for studying certain long-standing fundamental issues, and have potential engineering and functional applications. We present a comprehensive review of the history of metallic glasses, followed by a brief account of recent progress in fundamental research and applications in this rapidly moving field.