Hydrogen evolution by cyanobacteria is a potential way of biohydrogen production for the future. The basic and early applied research over the last 30 years has established the basis of present knowledge in the field and is a platform for future R&D directions. This work briefly surveys some of the progress made in the field of cyanobacterial hydrogen evolution during this time period. (C) 2002 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.