This graph appeared in Floor Covering News 20 years ago and it’s fitting that we reprise it in this special Statistics Issue. Two decades ago, in the issue of Sept. 28, 1987, we tracked three years of carpet and rug shipments, in both units and dollars. Now, let’s compare 1986 statistics with those of 2006: Then—1,254,174 square yards, now—1,960,000 (rounded); then—$7,296,075, now—$15,721,000 (rounded). The contrast is dramatic. In the past 20 years, carpet and rug shipments increased by more than 50% in units and more than doubled in value. That’s not bad considering the resurgence of the other flooring materials in that period.