History of Science and Engineering Annotation << Back Sketch of the history of the yearbook «Ephemerides of Minor Planets» Shor V.A. The history of creation and subsequent development of the yearbook «Ephemerides of Minor Planets» is described. The yearbook under review is prepared for publication over the two third of century, at first by the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy and then by the Institute of Applied Astronomy of RAS, in conformity with commitments undertaken by the Academy of sciences. Computation and publication of the yearbook was organized with the aim to restore ephemeris service which was destroyed as a result of the WWII. To compute celestial coordinates of about 1200 minor planets, very difficult at that time problem, it was necessary to join forces of several scientific organizations in different parts of the former Soviet Union. The major part of the «Ephemerides for 1948» was computed with the help of hand-held calculators with low precision and without considerations for planetary perturbations. Nevertheless, with time handling the problem was vastly improved. At first punch card computers and then modern computers were coming into use for preparation of the Ephemerides. The difficulties which were overcome on the way to full automated preparation of the Ephemerides and the enhancement of precision of data published in it are described. Much attention is given to the computer versions of the Ephemerides complimenting and extending the capabilities of the yearbook, as well as to co-operations with other computing centers, first of all with the Minor Planet Center (USA). The preparation of the Ephemerides of Minor Planets in ITA/IAA was a pivot around which many theoretical and applied researches were concentrated and developed over the course of years, such as the use of minor planets for solving applied problems of astronomy and, during the last two decades, solving the asteroid-hazard problem. In conclusion, one can point out that the yearbook «Ephemerides of minor planets» and computer packages came into being around it continue to be reliable and suitable sources of information on minor planets. The yearbook is distributed in more than thirty countries. It enjoys popularity among professionals and amateurs. Prospects of subsequent development of ephemeris service are also discussed in the paper. Keywords: comet; minor planet; near-Earth asteroid; ephemerides of minor planets. Contacts: E-mail: shor@ipa.nw.ru Pp. 144-154.