This analysis of invention is the result of a study of patents, patent applications and some other technical and scientific lite rature published in the United States, Japan, Great Britain, Western Germany and France, as well as European (Munich) and PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) patent applications, in the period from about January 1975 to about January 1985. It provides a systematic review of research activities on the structural and operational development of heat pipes in the period covered, and on their applications. The study is in two parts: Part I relating to aspects of indi vidual...