This review encompasses the story of the Verwey transition in
magnetite over a period of about 90 years, from its discovery
up to the present. Despite this long period of thorough
investigation, the intricate multi-particle system Fe3O4
with its various magneto-electronic interactions is not
completely understood, as yet - although
considerable progress has been achieved, especially during the
last two decades. It therefore appeared appropriate to subdivide
this retrospect into three eras: (I) from the detection of the
effect to the Verwey model (1913-1947), being followed by a
period of: (II) checking, questioning and modification of
Verwey's original concepts (1947-1979). Owing to prevailing
under-estimation of the role of crystal preparation and qualitiy
control, this period is also characterized by a series of
uncertainties and erroneous statements concerning the reaction
order (one or two) and type of the transition (multi-stage or
single stage). These latter problems, beyond others, could
definitely be solved within era (III) (1979 to the present) - in
favour of a first-order, single-stage transition near 125 K - on
the basis of experimental and theoretical standards established
in the course of a most inspiring conference organized in 1979
by Sir Nevill Mott in Cambridge and solely devoted to the
present topic. Regarding the experimental field of further
research, the remarkable efficiency of magnetic after-effect (MAE) spectroscopy as
a sensitive probe for quality control and investigation of
low-temperature (4 KTv) into a Wigner crystal (T
