Thanks, everyone, for the references to latest entry articles.

 Didn't the note that kicked this discussion off mention something about
 Northwestern studying EARLIEST entry? (I prematurely erased the note.)
 If something recent has been written about that, it might prove an
 interesting read.  If one has the right online integrated system, one
 might never change a 245 again--if one has subscribed to the latest entry
 philosophy.  A good system could be programmed that if a patron puts in one
 of the titles, the bibliograhic record could display all the titles clearly--
 maybe "Earliest title [245]/Next title [246 redefined]/Next title/etc."?
 It sure would make recon easier!  New records would continue to be made for
 changes in responsiblity.  Until card catalogs are completely replaced by
 truly powerful automated systems in all libraries, replacing successive
 entry form seems very far away, however.

 Anyway, I'm too lazy right now to hike over to our General Library to
 search the literature.