Monopoles in the very early universe

The use of magnetic monopoles to probe the first 10 to the -35th sec of the universe is discussed. Grand unified theories are first briefly reviewed, and the properties of magnetic monopoles are discussed. The role of monopoles in cosmology is addressed, and the prospects for observing monopoles are reviewed, and the implications of a recently reported candidate monopole event are examined. Future experiments that may be performed to detect monopoles are discussed.