[A brief history of the development of chromatography and its enlightenment to us].

This article describes the brief history of chromatography and clarifies a few confusions in some Chinese publications on the history of chromatography. Based on the analysis of several milestones in the development of chromatographic techniques, we summarized the enlightenment that the history tell us:(1) fundamental research has always been the source of advancements in science and technology, including chromatography; (2) the needs of social development have been the main driving force for the innovations in chromatographic methods; (3) interdisciplinary study has been an important approach to technological innovation; and (4) an unremitting persistence and courage to explore are the necessary conditions for technical innovation. Finally, the future development prospects of chromatography are also briefly discussed.