[ The previous version, dated Dec 2, 2011, has been replaced, Mar 15, 2012. ]
This paper is dedicated to the memory of Daniel Quillen. In it, we examine his
brilliant disovery of higher algebraic K-theory, including its roots in and
genesis from topological K-theory and ideas connected with the proof of the
Adams conjecture, and his development of the field into a complete theory in
just a few short years. We provide a few references to further developments,
including motivic cohomology.