Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in macromolecular science

A historical overview of the role of NMR spectroscopy in macromolecular science in general and its coverage in "Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics" in particular is given. In the early days physics-application to study molecular dynamics, partial alignment of macromolecules and phase separation prevailed, deduced from broad-line solid-state NMR. Only somewhat later, high-resolution NMR in solution was established as an important tool for elucidating the chain microstructure. In the future, these two aspects are expected to merge.