Communicating your research can feel like a new disiy, many of the researchers we meet have found their passion to engage and discuss their subject matter has emerged as a mainly solo pursuit, perhaps inspired by a passionate colleague, favourite television programme or an exhibition visit that occurred by chance along the way. This can leave many researchers unaware that the communication and engagement of research has been a longstanding issue within research professions. This chapter explores the history of research communication from research professionalisation, to the creation of learned societies and public lectures, the role of museums and exhibitions, iing almost 400 years of notable research communication activities and setting the scene for more recent developments which are ied in the remainder of the book.