Experiments involving polarized beams and/or internal polarized targets are performed or proposed at many laboratories equipped with various type of accelerators and storage rings. Currently, the most powerful sources of polarized atoms and ions base on the atomic beam and the optical pumping methods. The present status of the polarized hydrogen source is discussed, with emphasis on the most recent improvements of the basic techniques allowing for the production of highly polarized, intense, dc or pulsed, positive or negative ion beams.