Applications of Tunable Imaging Filters for the VLT

Tunable imaging filters have been used for a variety of science programmes on the Anglo-Australian and William Herschel Telescopes during the last five years. This contribution describes these novel devices and reviews the science (both Galactic and extragalactic) done with them. Possible strategies for implementing a tunable filter at the VLT are also discussed. Significant scientific potential exists for a tunable filter on the VLT, particularly in the years before such capability becomes available on 8 -- 10 m-class telescopes elsewhere.