This panel presentation reviews the current status of reasons and technologies for hydrogen production in our quest for economical, reliable, environmentally sound energy. It also provides an introduction to proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, how they function, and a discussion of the technological challenges overcome in recent years and those that still exist in developing and commercializing fuel cells. Panelists are from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and include professors Yi H. (Ed) Ma and Ravindra Datta, James P. Dunn, President of Tech Commercialization, and William Durgin, Vice President of Research. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brother's flight, we look toward the future of aviation technology - fuel cell powered electric aircraft. At just 346 pounds, the all carbon DynAero Lafayette III soon will take a critical step toward becoming the first piloted plane to be powered by fuel cells.