A brief history of the development of the idea that static and kinetic frictions are somehow different is presented. The investigations which produced data promoting this idea are discussed and, in each case, the conclusions are examined and shown to be questionable on the basis of other data. Evidence is presented which supports a unified theory of friction with the suggestion that there is, in reality, no static friction. Published static coefficients of friction should be, in the main, considered questionable because of the lack of appreciation for specimen cleanliness and roughness and the important role of atmospheric contaminants upon friction. The proposal is made that all friction is kinetic and the theory needs only to include a sliding velocity parameter to satisfy that portion which was formerly called static friction.Presented at the 28th ASLE Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, April 30—May 3, 1973