Energy-sensitive Detectors for Astronomy: Past, Present and Future

•Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) are reaching technological maturity.•For astronomy applications the development of Transition Edge Sensors (TESs) and Superconducting Tunnelling Junctions (STJs) has apparently stalled.•Subject to future cost reductions, MKIDs offer the largest developmental potential of all of the energy-sensitive detector types.