The paper summarizes the history of industrial chimney development since the 1950s, the hazards faced by industrial chimneys, and the current state of the art of the design of concrete and steel chimneys. This includes recent developments in the design of the concrete and steel shells and of the various liners (of brickwork, steel or GRP) provided to protect the concrete shell from the effects of contact with the hot and usually aggressive flue gases. Particular attention is paid to the effects of flue gas desulphurization (FGD) on these liners. Appendix 1 lists the major differences between the various codes referenced.