Abstract
Our understanding of the origins and evolution of dwarf galaxies has been changing very rapidly. New observations are giving better insight into the relationship between the two main families of dwarf galaxies, the dwarf ellipticals and the dwarf irregulars. Theoretical simulations appear to be both posing several problems and eliminating them. However, it is possible that we are beginning to observe some of the more robust results of these simulations. For example, HST observations of Local Group galaxies show evidence of the impact of the ionizing background radiation on their star formation histories. If this is the correct interpretation, it greatly alters our understanding of dwarf galaxy evolution.
