We have used mid-infrared selection of AGN and quasars to compile the

first large survey of these objects independent of dust obscuration.

We find more than twice as many objects as optical and soft X-ray

surveys, and many more than in hard X-ray surveys, incidentally

showing than most black holes must be spinning at near their maximal

rate. We compare our results from both the survey and from ALMA/CARMA

observations of the nearby AGN NGC1266 with the popular “orientation”

and “evolution” models for the obscured population. We also describe

how medium-depth, wide area surveys in the near-infrared can be used

to find the host galaxies of high redshift quasars in an inactive

phase. Placing these results together, we build a picture in which

quasars form at early times in a highly obscured phase.