Building on findings concerning adhesion to enamel, R L Bowen and his colleagues at the Paffenbarger Research Center, National Institute of Standards and Technology began addressing and solving problems associated with (1) silicate cements and unfilled resins, (2) bonding In an aqueous environment, and (3) the development of an adhesion system for both dentin and enamel that could withstand various stresses. This article reviews the development of an adhesion system for bonding dental composites to dentin and enamel.