Development of advanced photonic devices requires extensive integration of several technologies. Electrooptical devices must simultaneously satisfy several materials properties including : high nonlinear optical activity, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and optical transparency. In addition, the device materials must be amenable to fabrication, and must be compatible in a multi-layered configuration. We have recently developed polymers which meet these complex requirements. Indeed, electrooptical devices have been demonstrated using these polymers. This paper is a comprehensive review of the development of such devices, from design of the molecular architecture to waveguide design and fabrication. The critical issues in each aspect of device development are discussed.