LEP - The Lord of the Collider Rings at CERN 1980-2000

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Housed by a 4 m diameter tunnel of 27 km circumference, the Large Electron-Positron Collider (LEP) was one of the most sophisticated scientific research instruments ever created. Located at CERN near Geneva, it was built between 1983 and 1989 and operated until 2000, corroborating the standard model of particle physics through high precision measurements. The author, who served as director-general of CERN during LEP's construction, vividly recounts the complex decision-making and technical processes involved, highlighting the challenging geo- and civil engineering required for the tunnel. He also reflects on the fruitful scientific research period that followed. The narrative culminates in the difficult decision to close LEP, just as the discovery of the Higgs boson appeared imminent. Dismantled in 2000, the tunnel was repurposed for the next generation machine, the more powerful Large Hadron Collider (LHC), initially envisioned as LEP3. This account was completed as the LHC became operational. Written by the key figure behind LEP, this is the definitive inside story of a remarkable machine and the thousands of scientists and engineers whose collective efforts contributed to its groundbreaking discoveries.