The development of the furniture conservation profession is outlined. The furniture conservation profession had its beginnings in simple furniture repair and has developed into a highly specialized field requiring an interdisciplinary perspective that includes scientific, artistic and historical knowledge in addition to the knowledge and skills of furniture making. The development of this profession occurred at least in part because of society's changing perception of historic furniture. Currently available graduate training programs in conservation and their requirements are also discussed. This is the first in a ten part series of articles on furniture conservation.