Just twelve years ago Lichtenstein described a “tension-free” onlay of polypropylene mesh for inguinal hernia repair. Surgeons who claim that he introduced nothing new and that the use of polypropylene mesh in groin hernia repair had been reported before 1986 misunderstand his concept. He advocated his technique for all groin hernias, large and small, complex and straightforward, and maintained that essential components included local anesthesia, immediate ambulation, and same-day discharge, each contributing to the overall success.