The study of the conformation properties of macromolecules is at the heart of polymer
science. Essentially all physical properties of polymers are manifestations of the underlying
polymer conformations or otherwise significantly impacted by the conformation properties. In
this Perspective, we review some of the key concepts that we have learned over nearly eight
decades of the subject and outline some open questions. The topics include both familiar
subjects in polymer physics textbooks and more recent results or not-so-familiar subjects …