Deeply rooted in clinical neurology, neurosurgery emerged as a special branch of surgery early in the 20th century and evolved swiftly with developments in anaesthesia, critical care, imaging and a host of surgical innovations. Today, the treatment of patients with diseases of the nervous system is one of the most rapidly advancing areas of medical practice and neurosurgery remains at the forefront, with new insights and advances transforming the management of diseases such as subarachnoid haemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, degenerative disc disease and hydrocephalus. This is an exciting time to be a neurosurgeon.