Abstract: The emergence of the first charged particle accelerator in the 1930s marked the commencement of humanity’s exploration into the world of microscopic particles. With successive iterations of particle accelerators and corresponding breakthroughs in science and technology, it has gradually evolved into a significant frontier in modern physics research. As a comprehensive outcome of “multiple science and technology”, the particle accelerator fundamentally serves as a valuable tool for humans to probe the microscopic realm. Its introduction not only propels the advancement of basic research but also stands as one of the most pivotal inventions of 20th-century human civilization. Against this backdrop, this paper, from the perspective of the history of science and technology, distinctly defines and expounds upon the four “major breakthroughs” in the development of particle accelerators. Subsequently, it meticulously delineates the timeline of particle accelerators in the history of science and technology, identifying four crucial periods of “scientific revolution”. This elucidation aims to highlight the academic gaps pertaining to particle accelerators in the history of contemporary scientific development.

Key Words: Particle accelerator; Accelerator physics; History of science and technology; Significant breakthroughs