The assignment of a band near 1600 cm−1in IR spectra of carbons has been controversial for four decades. However, many different carbons have been studied: effectively, a single band assignment was sought for an absorption appearing with three different classes of carbon. As these differ in over-all structure, not one but three explanations are needed. These are discussed. However, undue emphasis has been placed on a single absorption; attention should also be paid to other absorptions accompanying the 1600 cm−1band.