Neutron scattering is a widely used technique for determining both the atomic and magnetic structures of materials and the way in which these structures evolve in time. It can provide remarkably precise and unique information about the structure and dynamics of a variety of materials that are often difficult to interrogate by other means. As scientific interest moves to increasingly complex structures and the goals of nanoscience are pursued, new and more powerful neutron sources currently coming on line will be able to contribute new insights, building on a tradition that started 60 years ago with experiments by scientists such as Clifford Shull and Bertram Brockhouse.