In this section, a brief review is presented of the redshift surveys
that have shaped our current understanding of the three-dimensional
distribution of galaxies. Over the years the picture has evolved
dramatically as data flowed in. The number of galaxies with redshift
measurements has grown by roughly a factor 100 from the mere 
2000 available in 1978. This number is expected to grow even faster
now as new data from surveys such as 2dF and SDSS and other
large surveys at high-redshift become available.