One hundred years of extensional flow

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.