Control and automatization have been associated with chemistry and chemical engineering since long before the present information era. Since the early history of mankind precedents of what were to be called unit operations have been closely associated with control and automation concepts. The history of these concepts illustrates the development of theory and practice from the classic Creek times through Islamic and European Middle Ages uh to today’s chemical engineering. It also demonstrates the close interdependence of such development With leading social and scientific concepts, education systems and economic conditions.