Going back as far as 1931, it is shown by the examples MnAl, Fe-Nd. Fe
-Nd-B, Fe(-Ti)-Sm how the history of permanent magnet materials might
have evolved differently if hints had been heeded that were discernibl
e long before a particular magnet development actually began. This acc
ount relates the lessons learned. discusses the directions being taken
in the exploration of multicomponent alloy systems, and suggests ways
to search for intermetallics that are potential permanent magnet mate
rials.