The FQH effect shows the limits of Landau 's symmetry breaking theory. Previously it was held that the symmetry breaking theory could explain all the important concepts and properties of forms of matter. According to this view, the only thing to be done was to apply the symmetry breaking theory to all different kinds of phases and phase transitions. From this perspective, the importance of the FQHE discovered by Tsui, Stormer, and Gossard is notable for contesting old perspectives.