The perspective of a future large scale application of superconductivity at liquid nitrogen temperatures is the motivation for the important activity on high Tc materials worldwide. However, it seems that applications at 4.2 K and intermediate magnetic fields (up to 12 T) will in a mean term still be envisaged using classical superconductors. It is the goal of the present paper to critically analyze the progresses accomplished in the last five years and to estimate the feasibility of further developments in the near future. Finally, the actual industrial needs and the present state of superconductors are briefly reviewed.