It is argued that, historically, the concept of the existence of hypothetical superluminal particles called tachyons was preceded by the concept of a faster-than-light process. The latter concept, put forth by Lev Yakovlevich Strum (1890–1936) of the Soviet Union, contained within it the formulation of what later came to be known as the `reinterpretation principle’ of tachyon theory, a principle which proved instrumental in solving the problem of cause and effect in faster-than-light motions. L Ya Strum’s results on this subject are briefly discussed, and his professional career is outlined.