The document discusses the history and development of programmable logic controllers (PLCs). It explains that PLCs were developed in the 1960s to offer the same functionality as relay logic systems in a programmable and reusable manner. PLCs replaced hardwired control panels which were difficult to modify. The document then covers PLC components, programming, and provides an example ladder logic program for a mixer process control problem to illustrate how a control system can be programmed on a PLC similarly to a relay logic diagram.