  The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Early Release Observations (EROs) is a
set of public outreach products created to mark the end of commissioning and
the beginning of science operations for JWST. Colloquially known as the "Webb
First Images and Spectra", these products were intended to demonstrate to the
worldwide public that JWST is ready for science, and is capable of producing
spectacular results. The package was released on July 12, 2022, and included
images and spectra of the galaxy cluster SMACS~J0723.3-7327 and distant lensed
galaxies, the interacting galaxy group Stephan's Quintet, NGC 3324 in the
Carina star-forming complex, the Southern Ring planetary nebula NGC 3132, and
the transiting hot Jupiter WASP 96b. This paper describes the ERO technical
design, observations, and scientific processing of data underlying the colorful
outreach products.
