This article is an historical overview of control theory applied to robotic manipulators, with an emphasis on the early fundamental theoretical foundations of robot control. It discusses properties of robot dynamics that enable application of advanced control methods followed by robust and adaptive control of manipulators. It also discusses nonlinear control of underactuated robots and teleoperators. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Control, Robotics, and Autonomous Systems, Volume 5 is May 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.