Electrostatic fiber formation (aka “electrospinning”) has emerged in recent years as one of the simplest and most promising methods for producing long, continuous fibers with diameters less than 1 micron from a wide variety of materials.  Membranes comprised of such fibers are remarkable for their ease of formation, high surface area, and small pore sizes.  As a result, these materials have enjoyed considerable attention in both academia and industry for potential commercial applications in areas ranging from biomedical to energy and the environment.  In this first of two lectures, we will discuss the process by which fibers are formed.  Particular emphasis will be placed on the electrohydrodynamics of jetting, and the instabilities that give rise to novel fibers.  The influence of solution properties and operating parameter will be demonstrated.  Phenomena that can be used to obtain unusual, and potentially useful, fiber morphologies, such as beaded fibers and shaped fibers, will also be discussed.