In more than 20 years from late 1950s to 1970s, the technology of high performance carbon fibers developed fast. Scientists of US, Japan and UK discovered "graphite whisker" and its characteristic of super high strength and invented the technologies for producing rayon-based, PAN-based, pitch-based as well as mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers. This paper combs the R&D history at that time, summarizes the critical technological contributions by two research institutions, and introduces fives scientists and three companies from. US, Japan, and UK. Then the paper uses the SWOT model to analyze their successful factors (strength, weakness, opportunity and threat) in R&D, industrial base, and developmental environment of this field. Finally, it comparatively studies the three counties' industries for high performance carbon fibers. The lessons learned from the three countries can be valuable for those who concern the development of China's domestic industry of high performance carbon fibers.

rayon-based carbon fiber  /  PAN-based carbon fiber  /  pitch-based carbon fiber  /  mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber