A variety of techniques can be used to characterize the physical properties of pharmaceutical solids, including thermal analysis, hot-stage microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, spectroscopic and micromeritic analysis. Comprehensive characterizations of the physical properties of pharmaceutical solids require a multi-disciplinary approach, since no single technique is capable of characterizing the materials completely. The combination of traditional hot-stage microscopy with new technologies such as high-resolution micrography, image capture, storage manipulation, and presentation, have permitted more comprehensive physical property characterizations to be conducted. As a result of these technological advances, it is possible to present the results of these microscopic analyses, as they were initially collected by the microscopist, outside of the laboratory. An evolutionary trail detailing the use of hot-stage microscopy in the Materials Science Group, from a simple melting point apparatus to the current hot-stage DSC microscopy instrument, will be presented. Examples of materials characterized using the hot-stage microscopy system will also be presented.