The dramatic changes in the practice of liquid-solid separation over the past 4+ decades are briefly reviewed in order to assist in predicting future needed improvements. Many changes have occurred in (1) materials of construction, particularly alloys and plastics; (2) basic new types of equipment; (3) size and scale of equipment; (4) strength of design; (5) increased productivity and temperature and chemical resistance; and (6) flocculants, filter media, and membranes. Further inventions and creativity in processing will still be needed because of the changes in industry, feedstocks, and products as well as completely new industries. These new developments will come from (1) new materials of construction, (2) still larger and stronger machines, (3) speed of operation increasing productivity, (4) the absolute need to reduce energy consumption, (5) special future processing requirements, (6) environmental regulations requiring better performance but at reduced costs.