Evelyn C. Powell, Physical and Chemical Sciences Librarian, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Folsom Library, Rensslaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180-3590, Fax: (518) 276-2044

This paper highlights the key innovators and innovations leading to the development of the Chemical Abstracts Service we know to day. We begin in 1907 when abstracts were written by hand and follow through to the early computerization in the 1960s. We look at later computerization and enhancements. We discuss diversified products such as CA on CD-ROM, STN Express, STN Easy, SciFinder and its companion SciFinder scholar. We conclude by discussing the news product, SciFinder on the Web.