2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/116829The development of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) is sketched from its earliest beginnings until the formulations of 1949, using the example of the divergent self-energy of the electron as a quintessential problem of the 1930's-40's. The lack of progress towards solving this problem led researchers to believe that after the conceptual revolution of quantum mechanics a new conceptual change was needed. It took a war and a new generation of algorithmically inclined physicists to pursue the conventional route of regularization and renormalization that led to the solution in 1947-1949. Some remarks on contemporary high energy physics are made.19 pages, 4 figures; Submitted to Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern PhysicsHistory and Philosophy of Physicstext