One of the main purposes of the International Association for Lichenology (IAL), inaugurated in 1967, was to establish a Newsletter in order to provide a forum for lichenologists worldwide to communicate with each other. In consequence, the early history of the IAL is in large degree the story of the International Lichenological Newsletter (ILN). Those responsible for organising the IAL at this time were essentially the editors of the Newsletter, hard-working people, collating hundreds of short notes on lichenologists and their current projects and opinions from all over the world, as well as reports of meetings and social events. Although the possibilities of communication have increased enormously in recent years, the function of IAL and its Newsletter remain the same, and the initial enthusiasm for exchanging ideas and results and reporting meetings continues undiminished