The Development of Embedded Computing as a Discipline [Special Section on 2025 IEEE Kirchhoff Award]

To mark the occasion of festschrift of Prof. Giovanni De Micheli, this paper takes a retrospective look at research though the lines pursued by Prof. De Micheli that led to the emergence of Embedded Systems as an enduring discipline. In telling this narrative, the goal is to draw lessons on how researchers from different backgrounds found a common ground that have spanned over three decades and continue to be a thriving community that draws new talent.