The history of stereotactic neurosurgery

Until the work of Horsley and Clarke in 1908, attempts to guide electrodes to parts of the nervous system had not used a three-dimensional targeting technique. Later, from the 1930s into the 1950s, the collaboration of Spiegel and Wycis led to advances in almost every area of functional neurosurgery. Great progress occurred through the accomplishments of other neurosurgeons throughout the world. This article describes the work of many of these pioneers and the evolution of stereotactic apparatus, including the current developments that indicate even more exciting accomplishments ahead.