This paper summarizes a session presented at the Ninth Annual Frontiers of Science Symposium in 1997. It discusses the development of string theory, which aims to unify the fundamental forces of nature and resolve inconsistencies in the standard model of particle physics. The standard model, while successful, suggests that there may be more fundamental degrees of freedom at smaller scales. String theory proposes that particles are not point-like but one-dimensional strings, which can explain gravity and other forces. String theory has faced challenges, such as the need for a fundamental principle to guide its development. However, the discovery of string duality has provided new insights, showing that different string theories are related and that M-theory may unify them. String duality also suggests that extra dimensions are compactified, and the structure of these dimensions influences particle properties. The theory has shown that different compact spaces can be linked through nonperturbative effects, leading to a more unified understanding of space and time. String theory remains a promising framework for understanding the fundamental nature of the universe, and ongoing research aims to uncover the underlying principles that govern it. The paper highlights the importance of string theory in addressing the unresolved issues in physics and offers a glimpse into the potential future of theoretical physics.This paper summarizes a session presented at the Ninth Annual Frontiers of Science Symposium in 1997. It discusses the development of string theory, which aims to unify the fundamental forces of nature and resolve inconsistencies in the standard model of particle physics. The standard model, while successful, suggests that there may be more fundamental degrees of freedom at smaller scales. String theory proposes that particles are not point-like but one-dimensional strings, which can explain gravity and other forces. String theory has faced challenges, such as the need for a fundamental principle to guide its development. However, the discovery of string duality has provided new insights, showing that different string theories are related and that M-theory may unify them. String duality also suggests that extra dimensions are compactified, and the structure of these dimensions influences particle properties. The theory has shown that different compact spaces can be linked through nonperturbative effects, leading to a more unified understanding of space and time. String theory remains a promising framework for understanding the fundamental nature of the universe, and ongoing research aims to uncover the underlying principles that govern it. The paper highlights the importance of string theory in addressing the unresolved issues in physics and offers a glimpse into the potential future of theoretical physics.