Howie reviews the materials used for the protection, consolidation, and repair of various types of fossil specimens during the past half century, delineating three distinct periods within that span of time: pre-1940 (when consolidants were chiefly based on mixtures of natural products), 1940-1965 (which saw the development of emulsified poly(vinyl acetate) adhesives and the widespread use of acrylics like poly(butyl methacrylate)), post-1965 (which has seen the growing use of cyanoacrylates and a good deal of work with high molecular weight polyethylene glycols). He also discusses techniques for identifying consolidants and adhesives, and presents a simple color-forming spot test based on the reaction of functional groups in a polymer with an acidified solution of iodine/potassium iodide. See 21-1334 for reference to entire proceedings. -- AATA