30 years at the fore front - a perspective on the Bevatron/Bevalac

The Bevatron/Bevalac 30 years operational experience is described, which can be devided into four major periods: first commissioning and yearly experimental period, when the Bevatron was among the highest-energy machines available (1954-1962): second, a period of (1963-1972): third, the light ion (a less than or equal to 56) period (1974-1981); and finally, the ongoing heavy-ion period. Studies presently in progress shound the possibility of using the Bevatron as an injector to a small storage - ring system called the minicollider, these two superconducting rings can fit quite readily into the existing site with a minimum of impact on present facilities. Factors of particular importance for successfully delivering heavy-ion beams are shown