Large dataset

Hi
I have a table which is showing the history of what is happening in my application.
It works just fine at the moment but is currently around 80 pages and that's only in development!
Is there a way that instead of using SQL to return all the data (SELECT * FROM history ORDER BY date DESC") I can have the table call for data when the next & previous buttons are used?
I would also need the search function to work which I understand can only search data that is actually loaded onto the page so not sure how this works if all the data is not loaded first?
I think it maybe something that Ajax can do but cant find an example.