My, how things change

Turning 50 tends to make one nostalgic, so in honor of the magazine's half-century mark, Veterinary Economics editors started thumbing through back issues. While rummaging through the archives, we experienced a range of emotions: from pride for the consistent delivery of top-notch veterinary-business coverage to some sheepishness at clearly outdated philosophies. And, of course, we had a good laugh at some of the styles and opinions of our past. While we uncovered many jewels, here are our top picks.

> Hospital of the Year launched. Valley Veterinary Hospital in Walnut Creek, Calif., (left) wins. (March 1966)

> "Only 7 percent of veterinary students are women. ... Because there seems to be evidence that females may be less prone than men to remain in the veterinary curriculum and that they may not be highly active professionally after they receive their veterinary degrees, it would appear that female applications should be scrutinized more closely than they have been in recent years." (April 1969)

> "The gasoline shortage was considered the principal cause for any lessening in demand for veterinary services in pet animal hospitals in the fall of 1973." (February 1975)

> "[A company] has invested more than $4 million in a high-tech space-age project which could significantly lower the number of lost and stolen pets. ... Is a microchip pet buzzer too far into the future to think about now?" (April 1984)