A review of the energy/load situation before 1939 shows that, as regards technical progress in the transmission field, the needs of the time were satisfied.The present energy famine makes necessary the development of new resources, some of which are remotely situated. The authors suggest that in these circumstances transmission by direct current can be of service. They ask interested parties to consider the possibilities carefully and to make an early decision for or against. The position in many countries, in particular in some of those belonging to the British Commonwealth, demands laboratory research and field experiment, sponsored in or from Britain. Possible research projects are briefly discussed. The paper includes an outline of a major transmission project in each of four Continents.