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Abstract: When X-ray Astronomy emerged in the early 1960s, it quickly became evident that X-ray polarimetry would be essential for interpreting data from newly discovered celestial sources. Unfortunately, the experimental results from those initial efforts were limited. The sources appeared less polarized than expected, and the sensitivity of the experimental techniques was not yet adequate. Despite these early limited results, scientists persisted in refining their techniques. By 2001, it had been demonstrated that the photoelectric effect in gas— the true key to unlocking a new window in Astrophysics—could be efficiently utilized. Only in 2021 did it become possible to launch an observatory with the necessary sensitivity to exploit the photoelectric effect. IXPE, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, a NASA-ASI mission, is the first Small Explorer to feature three mirror units. In this talk, I will discuss the enabling technology behind this astrophysical breakthrough, the IXPE mission profile, and the main scientific achievements in the first two years of operation. These include angularly resolved polarimetry of Supernova Remnants and probing acceleration phenomena, the determination of inner geometries of compact objects like Black-Holes and Neutron Stars) and of Active Galactic Nuclei. Lastly, I will propose some potential future directions following the discoveries made by IXPE.