Mixed-valence compounds were recognized by chemists more than a century ago for their unusual colours and stoichiometries, but it was just 40 years ago that two seminal articles brought together the then available evidence. These articles laid the foundations for understanding the physical properties of such compounds and how the latter correlate with molecular and crystal structures. This introduction to a discussion meeting briefly surveys the history of mixed valence and sets in context contributions to the discussion describing current work in the field.