A brief history of perpendicular magnetic recording is presented first, focusing on the strategic aspect of the study. The important role played in the earlier development of perpendicular recording system by the complementarity principle connecting longitudinal and perpendicular recording is described. It is pointed out that a new strategic study is required for perpendicular recording that is consistent with today's technologies such as merged MR heads. We should now proceed in the direction of developing and constructing a realistic recording system, using thick media with moderate coercivity.