The 88-year-old problem of developing a preferred, optimized synthesis of the prototype Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate, K6[alpha-P2W18O62].14H2O, is addressed herein. Specifically, six published syntheses of K6[alpha-P2W18O62].14H2O are listed and discussed, with emphasis given to the two most recent syntheses, Nadjo and co-workers' 2004 synthesis and a 1997 Inorganic Syntheses procedure by Droeg...