Bluespec has an execution model based on atomic actions. This model is quite different from traditional hardware description languages like Verilog, VHDL and SystemC. Its also different from software languages like C and Java. Bluespec is based on research at MIT in using Term Rewriting Systems (TRS) for hardware descriptions and was developed into an "industrial strength" language and compiler by the Sandburst Corporation. Bluespec, because of its execution model, strong typing, and object orientation, can raise the level of hardware design significantly without compromising the ability to synthesize efficient hardware. In this talk I will outline how and why Bluespec improves the chip design process by giving examples from microprocessor and other complex chips.