The HOMFLY polynomial is an invariant of knots and links which generalizes both the classical Alexander polynonmial as well as the Jones polynonmial. It was independently discovered by five different groups (Hoste; Ocneanu; Millett and Lickorish; Freyd and Yetter; Przytycki and Traczyk) in 1984, shortly after Vaughan Jones announced the discovery of his new knot invariant. Unfortunately, because of martial law in Poland, word of the discovery by Przytycki and Traczyk was slow in reaching the United States. Thus the acronym, HOMFLY, (coined by David Yetter) does not include the initials P and T. The more inclusive acronym HOMFLYPT is now in general use.