This historical review takes a few selected issues from the rheological studies of extensional flow that fill the literature, starting with extracts from the seminal papers of Trouton [Proc. Roy. Soc. A 77 (1906) 426-440] and Fano [Archivio di fisiologio, 5 (1908) 365-370]. Work in the first half of the 20th century on spinnability and extensional viscosity measurement is highlighted, followed by a discussion of the blossoming of studies on extensional flow. As a case study, a project on anti-misting additives in aviation fuel is taken; whether the rheology or the politics is the more interesting is an open question. Finally some current issues surrounding spinnability and other extensional flow phenomena are discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.