Development of hysteroscopy: from a dream to a reality, and its linkage to the present and future.

Hysteroscopy today represents 200 years of salient innovations in instrumentation, new clinical applications for existing instruments, and continual modification of techniques, all aiming at observing, diagnosing, and treating pathologic conditions of the uterine cavity. Pioneers established the fundamental principles of intrauterine observation that steady technological advances would simplify and refine, all the way to the instrumentation and ancillary equipment now in use. Homage should be given and tribute paid to predecessors who made instrumentation, intrauterine distention, and illumination safe and practical for diagnostic and therapeutic hysteroscopy. Their accomplishments are remembered as we look with optimism to the many advances that undoubtedly will mark the future of hysteroscopy.