Journey through the decades | Cover voting

Celebrating 120 years of the South African Journal of Science!
 
As part of our anniversary celebration, we’re inviting you to take a journey through the decades with us!
 
Since the 1970s, each issue has featured a unique cover. We are looking for the best covers, and we need your help to find it! We’ve shortlisted 10 covers from each decade, and soon, you’ll get the chance to vote for your favourites in our upcoming polls. Plus, we’ll be highlighting something of interest from each decade.
 
Stay tuned to learn more about the SAJS over the years, and to vote for your favourite covers!
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1970s

Vote for your favourite cover here: https://forms.gle/ddzNigXQnbRK7gFC7

*In 1978, Feast provides insights into the advancements in South African astronomy during this period. According to Feast, South Africa's involvement in astronomical research increased significantly, marked by the establishment of national observatories. The South African Astronomical Observatory and the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory offered state-of-the-art facilities, paving the way for substantial research and future growth. Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/3AroSeR. 

1980s

Vote for your favourite cover here: https://forms.gle/2uh1XyKJ8fG3gjYb7

*In 1985, Russell tells us more about PRECIS, the herbarium specimen database developed by the Botanical Research Institute. At the time, it was recognised as the largest of its kind in the world. This innovation provided the first complete inventory of all plant taxa in Southern Africa, including synonyms and literature references, as well as checklists for specific localities and regions. It also enabled the sorting of specimen data in various ways for different purposes. Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/4fZHaUQ

The use of early computer systems like this transformed how botanical data was accessed and managed, and paved the way for the comprehensive databases that exist today.

1990s

Vote for your favourite cover here: https://buff.ly/4dDsw49

*In 1990, Henschel reported on dune spiders, Carparachne aureoflava, that have a unique escape strategy—wheeling. Use of the wheel by animals was not reported in scientific literature at the time. These spiders, found in the central Namib Desert, roll down sand dunes to evade predators. Their rolling motion blurs their outline, making it harder for predators such as wasps to catch them. This fascinating behavior showcases nature's ingenuity in survival tactics. Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/3MzdvUU

2000s

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2010s

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2020s

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