A Treatise for the 21st Century

The Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology was founded by R. C. Moore in 1948 and the first volume appeared in 1953. This encyclopedic work now occupies more than 1.3 m of shelf space. For paleontologists the world over the Treatise holds an almost biblical significance as the most comprehensive and authoritative statement of knowledge concerning groups of invertebrate fossils provided by the leaders in the field at the date of publication. As the fourth editor of the Treatise, and the one in charge at the start of the 21st Century, Roger Kaesler initiated the process of moving the publication into the digital age. Following a review of the purpose and usefulness of the Treatise to the paleontological community, I will outline the plans the Paleontological Institute has for continuing the work on the Digital Treatise project as envisioned by Roger Kaesler.