The first 40 years of String Field Theory

All the dynamics in the Standard Model of Particle Physics and in General Relativity is described in the framework of relativistic quantum field theory.  String field theory, a quantum gauge theory of string fields, was developed with the goal of giving a complete self-consistent framework to string theory.  As of 2024 we finally have string field theories for all known versions of string theory.  I will describe these theories and the challenges surmounted to achieve their construction.  We will also look at lessons learned and future directions.