Field‐assisted sintering technology/Spark plasma sintering is a low voltage, direct current (DC) pulsed current activated, pressure‐assisted sintering, and synthesis technique, which has been widely applied for materials processing in the recent years. After a description of its working principles and historical background, mechanical, thermal, electrical effects in FAST/SPS are presented along with the role of atmosphere. A selection of successful materials development including refractory materials, nanocrystalline functional ceramics, graded, and non‐equilibrium materials is then discussed. Finally, technological aspects (advanced tool concepts, temperature measurement, finite element simulations) are covered. The processing of novel inorganic materials at the lab scale or the rapid manufacturing of industrial products with higher output and reduced energy costs can be achieved by using versatile electric field‐assisted technologies. This review addresses their historical, technical, and scientific development, highlighting successes but also future research needs.