ABSTRACT
The historical study of a subject has several possible values. For one thing, many of the current topics of interest have roots that extend into the past and frequently understanding is improved when they are placed in historical perspective. Knowledge of these previous developments, and the conditions that brought them about contributes to an understanding of current problems and also with planning effective action. Historical studies may also uncover knowledge or ideas of a subject which were once known, but are now forgotten. Admittedly, such discoveries are likely to be in- frequent, but such possibilities add zest to the work of historical investigations. More importantly, historical studies can be of great value to investigators of current problems by: (1) identifying the steps in the development of a subject or a body of knowledge, (2) recording thoughts and investigations, both fruitful and otherwise, and (3) revealing the sequence in which events pro- gressed to their present situation, and also the sequences of events that withered away and stopped or perhaps merged with other developments. With the past catalogued, analyzed and readily available, investigators of current problems will know what work has been done, what approaches have proven useful, and which have been fruitless. They can have the experience of the past to guide and facilitate their own work. Lastly, if it is accepted that developments and problems in a field are largely a matter of evolution, that they grow out of previous developments and are molded on one hand by circumstances in our current and in earlier environments, and on the other by the intellectual and m a t e r i a l f a c i l i t i e s in the field it self, then the intriguing possibility emerges of predicting or forecasting the future through the study of the past. At the v e r y least we will have the possibility of anticipating the d i r e c t i o n events are most likely to move.
