This paper discusses the production, decay, and observability of the scalar Higgs boson in gauge theories of weak and electromagnetic interactions, such as the Weinberg-Salam model. It reviews previous experimental limits on the Higgs boson mass and presents a speculative cosmological argument suggesting that the Higgs boson may have a small mass. The paper explores various experimental signatures for detecting the Higgs boson, including reactions like π+p→Hπ or γp→Hp near threshold, decays of kaons with a branching ratio of 0(10^-7), and decays of new particles with a branching ratio of 0(10^-4). For masses ≤ 4 GeV, the Higgs boson may be visible in the reaction pp→H+X, H→μ+μ-. If the Higgs boson has a mass ≤ 2mμ, it may decay into e+e- or γγ, with a lifetime of 0(2×10^-5 to 2×10^-12) seconds. The paper also discusses the implications of decay branching ratios for determining quark masses. The organization of the paper is as follows: Section 2 discusses the role of the Higgs boson in gauge theories, experimental limits on its mass, and cosmological considerations. Section 3 calculates Higgs boson yields in various production and decay processes. Section 4 considers the decay modes, rates, and branching ratios of the Higgs boson. Section 5 concludes with a discussion on the prospects for Higgs boson phenomenology.This paper discusses the production, decay, and observability of the scalar Higgs boson in gauge theories of weak and electromagnetic interactions, such as the Weinberg-Salam model. It reviews previous experimental limits on the Higgs boson mass and presents a speculative cosmological argument suggesting that the Higgs boson may have a small mass. The paper explores various experimental signatures for detecting the Higgs boson, including reactions like π+p→Hπ or γp→Hp near threshold, decays of kaons with a branching ratio of 0(10^-7), and decays of new particles with a branching ratio of 0(10^-4). For masses ≤ 4 GeV, the Higgs boson may be visible in the reaction pp→H+X, H→μ+μ-. If the Higgs boson has a mass ≤ 2mμ, it may decay into e+e- or γγ, with a lifetime of 0(2×10^-5 to 2×10^-12) seconds. The paper also discusses the implications of decay branching ratios for determining quark masses. The organization of the paper is as follows: Section 2 discusses the role of the Higgs boson in gauge theories, experimental limits on its mass, and cosmological considerations. Section 3 calculates Higgs boson yields in various production and decay processes. Section 4 considers the decay modes, rates, and branching ratios of the Higgs boson. Section 5 concludes with a discussion on the prospects for Higgs boson phenomenology.