  Victor Hugo's timeless observation, "Nothing is more powerful than an idea
whose time has come", resonates today as Quantum Computing, once only a dream
of a physicist, stands at the threshold of reality with the potential to
revolutionise the world. To comprehend the surge of attention it commands
today, one must delve into the motivations that birthed and nurtured Quantum
Computing. While the past of Quantum Computing provides insights into the
present, the future could unfold through the lens of Quantum Software
Engineering. Quantum Software Engineering, guided by its principles and
methodologies investigates the most effective ways to interact with Quantum
Computers to unlock their true potential and usher in a new era of
possibilities. To gain insight into the present landscape and anticipate the
trajectory of Quantum Computing and Quantum Software Engineering, this paper
embarks on a journey through their evolution and outlines potential directions
for future research. By doing so, we aim to equip readers (ideally software
engineers and computer scientists not necessarily with quantum expertise) with
the insights necessary to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of Quantum
Computing and anticipate the trajectories that lie ahead.
