Modelling of coronal active regions in terms of loop structures began around 1974 (see Jordan 1975) and was stimulated by images of the corona in X-rays and the uv, obtained from rocket flights. Vaiana was a pioneer in this field (see Vaiana et al. 1973). The Skylab missions provided a fuller range of imaging and spectroscopic observations, and much of the available information is still based on these data (see Orrall 1981). Since 1975 a very large number of papers have been published on the various aspects of loop structure, heating and stability (see review by Mewe 1991). Here I can mention only a few points concerning the relation between observable parameters and the energy balance and heating requirements of active region loops.