The early history of conjugated and Conducting polymersconducting polymer is summarized, with a focus on four of the primary parent conjugated polymers—polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyacetylene, and polythiophene. While each section focuses on the history of a specific conjugated polymer, the historical development of the various conducting polymers generated via the oxidation or reduction of these materials is also detailed. The scope of this combined history begins in the 1830s and concludes in the mid-1980s, after which the progress of the field is better documented. This summarized historical record is then followed by a discussion of the most common myths and misconceptions that can still be found in the modern conjugated polymer literature. These myths will then be directly compared to the previously summarized history in order to illustrate how such misconceptions deviate from the known historical record.