I review briefly the present understanding of the history of silicate and carbonaceous grains from their formation around stars or in active regions of the interstellar medium to their appearance in objects of the solar system. This review is based mainly on recent observations with the Infrared Space Observatory. Progress has been substantial, but there are still many missing links in the long and complex chain of events which govern the formation, transport, and processing of cosmic grains. ¿ 2000 American Geophysical Union