The long history of the research concerning the possible existence of bound or resonant states in light multineutron systems, essentially $^3$n and $^4$n, is reviewed. Both the experimental and the theoretical points of view have been considered, with the aim of showing a clear picture of all the different detection and calculation techniques that have been used, with particular emphasis in the issues that have been found. Finally, some aspects of the present and future research in this field are discussed.