The successes of molecular developmental biology over the last ten years have been particularly impressive in those directions favored by its major paradigms. New technologies have both guided and been guided by the progress of the field. I review briefly some of the major insights into embryonic development that have derived from research in four specific areas: early embryogenesis of various forms; 'pattern formation'; evolutionary conservation of regulatory elements; and spatial mechanisms of gene regulation. There remain many major problem areas, some of which may require new orientations to solve.