As an essential component of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) has continuously developed and been accepted as a practical procedure among the worldwide spine community. Especially for the lumbar disc herniation (LDH), the percutaneous endoscopic or full-endoscopic discectomy technique is now scientifically proven, through randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, to be a good alternative to the open discectomy. The initial concept of endoscopic spine discectomy was concerned with indirect disc decompression using various instruments such as blind forceps, a nucleotome, laser, radiofrequency coblation, and some chemical agents. The main surgical field has been shifted from the intradiscal space to the epidural space. A precise and selective discectomy for extruded LDH in the epidural space, under high-quality endoscopic visualization, is now feasible. Furthermore, the medical applications of ESS are broadening to spinal stenosis, segmental instability, infection, and even intradural lesions. This review article aims to describe the history of endoscopic spine discectomy and decompression techniques, as well as evolution of the paradigm. This may indicate the future of practical ESS.