STIRAP: some news and notes about its history

Ever since its introduction (see J. Chem. Phys. 92, 5363, 1990), STIRAP -- a method for population transfer between quantum states with unprecedented efficiency and robustness -- has enjoyed an amazing development and wide spread application, far beyond initial expectations. In a first part a small selection of some important or surprising successful applications of STIRAP will be mentioned, including e.g. ultra-cold molecule formation, STIRAP\textasciiacute s role in precision experiments or controlling the propagation of light or even acoustic waves. Although STIRAP could have been found accidentally, it was the result of a planned approach. Therefore, a second part will show the line of development, starting some 50 years ago, that led eventually to STIRAP in a step-by-step approach, including -- as an intermediate -- the development of exotic devices such as an optically pumped laser with a molecular beam being the active medium.