T his issue marks the diamond anniversary of Chemical & Engineering News, which began life as the News Edition of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry on Jan. 10, 1923. We are pleased to note that it's been a long, productive, and fascinating life thus far.

Indeed, C&EN has existed throughout a period of remarkable growth and vitality in the chemical enterprise-a period during which chemistry has changed the face of the world. This special issue is devoted to capturing the substance and flavor of those 75 years.

We began planning for this special issue more than a year ago. We wanted to provide C&EN's readers with a true keepsake-an extensive, substantive, and lively publication that would not only document the history of the chemical enterprise but look ahead to its future. Our goal has been to bring attention to the important contributions that chemists, chemical engineers, and chemical entrepreneurs in industry, academe, and government have made to society at large.

Many people contributed to making this special issue possible. At some level, the entire multitalented staff of C&EN, aided by the Graphics & Production Department, worked on this issue. Under exceptionally tight deadlines, Brown Printing produced a beautiful publication on heavier-than-normal paper so that your individual perfect-bound copy will have a long shelf life.

The interest in this special issue has been gratifying. Thanks to our corporate advertisers and the outstanding work of our advertising sales group, Centcom Ltd., this issue is perhaps the largest in C&EN's history.

We especially want to thank the American Chemical Society and the loyal readers of C&EN, who have made it possible for us to reach our 75th year of existence. As editors, we are very proud to be at the helm of this publication as it celebrates its diamond anniversary. At our headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at six news bureaus around the globe, we have tried to reinvent the magazine each week to keep it accurate, timely, captivating, and concise. We pledge that we will continue to live up to our slogan, "The newsmagazine of the chemical world," by keeping you abreast of the latest news, trends, and insights in the diverse and vibrant chemical enterprise.

Madeleine Jacobs
Editor