  We use observations and evolutionary models of local objects to interpret a
recent determination of the star-formation history of the universe. By fitting
the global star-formation rate, the model predicts the ratio of spheroid to
disk mass of $\sim$1, an intergalactic medium (IGM) whose mass is $\sim$2.3
times the mass in stars, and whose metallicity is $\sim$0.1 Z$_\odot$.
