Quote from vertigo3:
RE VIX,
if you are looking at a chart of the VIX, you are seeing real values for the history you are looking at.
It was reconfigured in 02, VIX used to be based on OEX options volatility, then goldman (ruler of the financial world) talked CBOE into slightly different calc and base the volatility on the S&P 500. They calculated the value back for 10 years prior to 2002 adoption (it was either 02 or 03). SO don't worry you are viewing legitimate history.
The OEX volatility index uised to be VIX, but now OEX volatility is ticker VXO.