This journal, X‐Ray Spectrometry, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The state of the publications on X‐ray spectral analysis from 1972 onward is considered. The distribution of materials over countries is presented, as published in X‐Ray Spectrometry for 40 years, in 5‐year time intervals: 1972–1976, 1977–1981, and so on. The participation of Russian scientists contributing to the publications in this journal is discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.