W.K.H. Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics Lecture: The making of GLAST: Being creative with experimental particle physics

The extension of astrophysical observations to gamma-ray energies requires the utilization of detectors invented and developed for the pursuit of High Energy Particle Physics. GLAST is the result of a close collaboration between the astrophysics and the HEP communities. The exceedingly small signal-to-noise (cosmic rays) ratio coupled with the need for the best angular resolution possible presented a host of problems. How these were successfully met and the resulting instrument and its science are reviewed.