Abstract
Extensive theoretical work in the early fifties led to detailed predictions concerning the behavior of one-dimensional metals. More than ten years later the first real systems—linear chain metal complexes—were discovered and many of the predicted pecularities of one-dimensional metals were verified experimentally. Although the initial hope of preparing new, important, and technically useful materials (especially high-temperature superconductors) has not been fulfilled, the results obtained with inorganic compounds triggered the explosive development of organic metals.