A brief evolutionary description is given of the development of the discipline of weed science in the United States. Topics discussed include public recognition of weed science, losses from weeds, allocation of resources, herbicide usage, and future predictions of the development of the discipline. Weed scientists have had a major impact during the past four decades in increasing crop yields and reducing labor requirements for controlling weeds in crop production systems. Weed scientists have been so effective that recognition of their contributions and impact have often been overlooked in academic institutions but not in private industries that have staffed for herbicide development.
