This comprehensive analysis traces the origins and transformative impact of DeFi Summer, examining three pivotal growth periods from 2020 through 2022. Beginning with Compound's liquidity mining innovation in 2020, DeFi Summer catalyzed explosive ecosystem expansion characterized by billions in total value locked and unprecedented user participation. The article explores how foundational protocols like Uniswap and Aave revolutionized decentralized finance, while simultaneously exposing critical security vulnerabilities that shaped subsequent industry practices. By 2022, DeFi matured into a sustainable sector with $228 billion in TVL, demonstrating genuine utility beyond speculation. Readers gain essential insights into DeFi's evolution, the mechanisms driving yield farming adoption, lessons from security incidents, and the sector's resilience through market volatility. Perfect for investors, developers, and blockchain enthusiasts seeking to understand how DeFi Summer periods drive innovation cycles and reshap