In this short article, we summarize some milestones in the 50-yr-long devel
opment of natural C-14 measurement. In the light of this appraisal we presu
me to hazard some personal opinions and forecasts as to where best opportun
ities might lie for future gains from the continued investment in applied C
-14 science. The technique and the journal are one and the same in this reg
ard.