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The synthesis, characterisation and properties of simple low molecular weight aromatic amide dendrimers is described. The insights into the problems inherent in the synthesis of such systems provided by molecular modelling studies are discussed along with possible strategies for circumventing them. Preliminary results concerning blends of aramid dendrimers with poly(hexamethy1eneadipamide) are presented. INTRODUCIlONFollowing the exhortation in the Editors' letter of invitation to contribute; "We would encourage the style of the paper to be of a review type so that it can reach a broad audience", this short paper describes our earliest attempts to prepare and study aramid dendrimers. We have eliminated all but the bare bones of experimental detail, which will be published elsewhere, and present here a general discussion of the origins and objectives of our work, an account of our experiences and how it correlates with what we set out to do and with the reports of earlier workers, and a view about how the theme of aramid dendrimers might be developed. The last fifteen to twenty years have seen the gradual emergence of a distinct area of polymer synthesis concerned with the preparation of macromolecules of exactly defmed size, structure and topology. Many of the topologies explored are relatively unusual including, for example, rods, ribbons, dendrites, rotaxanes, catenanes and well defined networks. This perceptible trend constitutes, of course, only a small part of current research in polymer synthesis, the bulk of which continues to attempt to do better what is already done well. However, this newer development is attractive in that it represents a significant conceptual shift away from the statistical and probabilistic theories which underpin our understanding of established step and chain growth processes for the synthesis of conventional linear, branched and network polymers, and takes us towards the realm of precision and control in synthesis which characterises the traditions and achievements of classical organic chemistry and biochemistry. A fundamental aim of work in this new area is to make and study materials which consist of assemblies of true homostructural monodisperse macromolecules. This category of macromolecule is commonplace in nature where uniquely defined structures give rise to uniquely defined properties and functions; 0 1994 Huthig & Wepf Verlag, Basel