Quantum physics puts a limit on how small the noise added by an amplifier can be. Limiting this extra noise, which causes unavoidable signal degradation, is an essential requirement for the measurement of weak electromagnetic signals in various areas of science and engineering. In particular, a nearly-quantum-limited microwave amplifier is a key tool for performing rapid, high-fidelity measurement of solid-state qubits. In this talk, I will review how we build Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPAs) that adds only the minimum amount of noise required by quantum physics. Focusing on a specific JPA circuit called the SNAIL parametric amplifier, I will discuss how, we have improved the performance of these amplifiers to achieve greater power handling and information throughput, necessary for realizing large-scale quantum information processors. Finally, I will discuss recent work to realize JPAs with a new element, a Josephson Junction Field Effect Transistor (JJFET) made from InAs-Al superconductor-semiconductor heterostructures.