The Taylor-wire method offers a versatile and intrinsically inexpensive route for the manufacture of glass-coated metal filaments a few micrometres in diameter in a single operation directly from the melt. The preparation by this process of a number of microcrystalline and amorphous microwires is reported. Materials investigated have included copper, four different Ni-Si-B alloys and a Go-Mo alloy. The resultant properties of the microwire products prepared from these materials are summarized. One potential application for microwire is in the area of composite materials and data are presented outlining the preparation directly from microwire of metal filament-reinforced glass-matrix composites. In conclusion, a number of alternative potential applications for microwire are briefly discussed.