ISOLDE past, present and future

The idea of production of short-lived radioisotopes with the on-line technique has it roots in the early 1950s. In 1964 this became a reality when CERN approved an experiment at the 600 MeV proton synchro-cyclotron, the SC. The first experiments were performed in 1967 and since then the ISOLDE programme has gradually developed into a major undertaking. Since 1992 the ISOLDE Radioactive Beam Facility is linked to an external proton beam from the PS Booster. Today this 50 years old ‘lady’ is more vital than ever. With the successful start of HIE-ISOLDE in 2015 one may conclude that the facility is ready to face the next half century with the boost of the success and the necessary knowledge to face new challenges. In this introductory article we give an overview of the history and pick up a few examples along the nuclear chart as illustrations of the experimental achievements.