The history of free piston drivers is reviewed and the free piston facilities established at the Australian National University in the late 1960’s are described, with mention of the sustained and fruitful tradition of research which has been maintained in these facilities. The characteristics of the new free piston shock tunnel, T4, at The University of Queensland are outlined as well as the revival of the expansion tube. Justifications for new, and larger, free piston facilities are discussed, and the construction of new facilities is reported.