The mathematical theory of networks and systems has a long, and rich history, with antecedents in circuit synthesis and the analysis, design and synthesis of actuators, sensors and active elements in both electrical and mechanical systems. Fundamental paradigms such as the state-space real­ ization of an input/output system, or the use of feedback to prescribe the behavior of a closed-loop system have proved to be as resilient to change as were the practitioners who used them. This volume celebrates the resiliency to change of the fundamental concepts underlying the mathematical theory of networks and systems. The articles presented here are among those presented as plenary addresses, invited addresses and minisymposia presented at the 12th International Symposium on the Mathematical Theory of Networks and Systems, held in St. Louis, Missouri from June 24 - 28, 1996. Incorporating models and methods drawn from biology, computing, materials science and mathematics, these articles have been written by leading researchers who are on the vanguard of the development of systems, control and estimation for the next century, as evidenced by the application of new methodologies in distributed parameter systems, linear nonlinear systems and shastic systems for solving problems in areas such as aircraft design, circuit simulation, imaging, speech synthesis and visionics.