The last 25 years of portal hypertension clinical research has directly resulted in a reduction in variceal bleeding mortality from 50% to 20%. This research has included introduction of new techniques, technological refinements, and application of old treatments/concepts in new combinations. It is important to know how we got to where we are, to know where we should go next, so that the constant refinement of the patient journey continues. The paper by Sauerbruch et al1 in this issue of Gastroenterology is another step on that journey.