In celebration of TSRC’s Diamond Jubilee, we pause briefly to reflect on various aspects of the conference through the decades. While not an exhaustive accounting, a brief history of the conference will be presented, how it came to be formed, some interesting topics of discussion along the way, the organization of the conference, and other miscellaneous items of memorabilia. The conference initially convened in 1947 as the Technical Conference on Analytical Methods for Tobacco and, since then, has endured four subsequent name changes: Research Conference on Tobacco (1949); Research Conference on the Chemistry of Tobacco (1950); Tobacco Chemists’ Research Conference (1951); and finally, Tobacco Science Research Conference (1998). In a noteworthy back-to-the-future twist, some of the earliest beginnings – and the latest reasonable assuredness of longevity – of the conference appear attributable to US government interests. Much of the interest and work presented in the early years was attributable to the USDA; much in recent years is attributable to regulatory science inquiries and requirements of the FDA. Central to the conference for more than 50 years has been the recognition of prominent and preeminent tobacco scientists, first with the introduction of the Philip Morris Award for Distinguished Achievement in Tobacco Science (1967–2002) and then the Lifetime Achievement Award (2003–present). A mainstay of the conference for 45 years has been the introductory symposium, accompanied by publication, in a bound volume, of the symposium manuscripts as Recent Advances in Tobacco Science. The symposium continues; however, publication of the proceedings was discontinued after 2019 due to increasing demands on authors’ time, as well as the evolution of modern-day methods of information access. The social program of the conference has evolved with the times as well, starting with a “ladies’ tour” in 1957, then moving through a “spouse’s tour,” and finally – and more appropriately – simply the “guest program.” An informal golf tournament (always open to both ladies and gentlemen) was even introduced 21 years ago to further increase networking opportunities. This presentation will endeavor to paint the historic landscape of the conference in a manner that is designed to inform and entertain, perhaps with even a few anecdotal stories along the way, as TSRC continues to deliver on its commitment to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas among tobacco scientists.