The miniaturization of electronic components has initiated a technical revolution during the past decades. For further miniaturization down to the molecular or atomic range the synthesis of building elements on a nanometer scale is necessary. This article gives an overview of inorganic nanotubes with diameters within the range of 10-100 Å, whose characteristic properties can be varied from metallic to high-temperature resistant or redox active, depending upon the raw material and the synthesis procedure.