The highlights of column development in gas chromatography have been reviewed from a kinetic rather than a thermodynamic stand-point. Thus, the introduction of the various column types and the controversies which stimulated the early rapid progress in the field have been considered against a background of the prevailing theory. The theoretical and practical performances of columns are compared in relation to liquid phase distribution and loading, and efficiency characteristics are discussed with particular reference to the different types of diffusion process. The paper concludes by considering the optimization of column parameters to achieve minimum analysis time and the feasibility of achieving this in packed and open tubular columns.