TALK ABSTRACT:
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The history of colliding galaxy research has involved some stimulating 
and challenging astrophysical and sociological surprises.  I will review 
this rich history, with particular emphasis on the merger hypothesis that 
describes the formation of elliptical galaxies in terms of the merger of 
gas-rich progenitors, presumably spiral galaxies (or irregulars).  Some of 
the serendipitous discoveries that have supported this hypothesis will be 
reported.  Additional results on colliding and merging galaxies in general 
will also be presented.  This includes some remarkable results in the 
current research on various phenomena in the extragalactic (and galactic) zoo.
Finally, some expectations for the future (of research in this field, and of 
colliding galaxies themselves) will be outlined.