This brief review describes the understanding of the surface chemistry of metals that was gained in the first ten years of the use of surface analytical techniques: the period 1968-1978. The work undertaken during this period established what we still recognise as a basic description of the technological surface with which the coating and adhesive industry has to deal. Since that time the same analytical techniques have been developed greatly, giving more information in shorter times and having a much greater sensitivity. This has enabled subsequent studies of bonding types and their relation to good adhesion. Nevertheless, it is hoped that this review of the early work and its systematic study of the hierarchy of layers that form on metallic surfaces will be of use for students and researchers entering the field of adhesion science.