Those of us who grew up in the "through-hole" age of electronic packaging are probably more amazed and appreciative than are our children at the incredible growth of electronic performance capability. My son, an electrical engineering student, seems almost to take for granted the innovations that leave me somewhat awestruck at times. Electronic circuit designers delight in packing more punch into less volume, while reminding us that their job has become increasingly challenging. The lay person also has learned from the media that the industry has been working wonders in shrinking the...