Every parasitologist must have seen the first issue of Parasitology Today in July 1985. More than 13 000 copies were sent to those on society and World Health Organization mailing lists. Modelled on the hugely successful Immunology Today, the new journal aimed to provide well-written digests covering all aspects of parasitology, spiced with smaller items of general interest--including the elegant cartoons of Len Goodwin and occasional acerbic comments on style and semantics. The format seemed well appreciated, and subscriptions quickly climbed to commercially sustainable figures, reflected in the increasing willingness of the publisher, Elsevier, to finance colour printing. Within the first year, the journal went "glossy", and under its later title--Trends in Parasitology--it is now ranked highest of all similar organs, with an impact factor of 6.788. As the journal celebrates its "coming of age", I was asked--as founder Editor--to reflect on key changes during these eventful 21 years.