Friedmann universes with bulk viscosity

The effect of bulk viscosity on the evolution of Friedmann models is investigated. It is found that the presence of a tiny time independent component of bulk viscosity, although it may not be discernible at the present epoch, will play a crucial role in driving the present day universe into a steady state. The effect of time dependent bulk viscosity operative during the radiation drag of the decoupling era is also examined. © 1988.