The author looks at the context of the articles published in World Patent Information's first volume, in 1979, in the light of subsequent developments over the ensuing 25 years. He provides examples of articles from 1979 and from recent years to illustrate his comments. Amongst themes that continue to be significant throughout this period, are patent classification schemes, patent information for techno-commercial intelligence and policy analysis, and the less than optimal take up of patent information by actual and potential users. By contrast, the author notes that microfilm, punch cards and batch computer searching, key themes of 1979, have given way to Internet technology. In conclusion he emphasises both the massive changes brought about by technology changes and the substantially unchanging situation in many other respects, for example in the major players in the provision of patent information databases and in the importance of effective patent searching.
