Series Introduction The world is currently embroiled in a new wave of economic espionage facilitating technology transfer at a pace and scope unrivaled in human history. Previous waves saw the transfer of traditional practices and methods from China to Europe, including silk in the 6th century B.C. to porcelain and tea in the 17th and 18th centuries A.D. The United States drove the next wave of espionage, targeting British technology to grow its domestic industrial capacity following its independence. The current wave has brought history back full circle, with China now the main aggressor in economic espionage as it seeks to reclaim its title as a global technology leader. In this three-part series, we will explore historical examples of trade secret theft and how the practice of economic espionage has assisted transfers of technology.