Aurivillius oxides family has attracted great interest in the last years due to their promising electrical properties as high temperature piezoelectric materials. Piezoelectric materials that could operate in extreme conditions of use (elevated temperatures and hostile environments) could be of particular interest for different technological applications. Furthermore, increasing concerns for environmental issues have promoted the study of new lead-free piezoelectric materials. This article examines how the development of these materials has taken place from their discovery at the end of the 40's and the existing knowledge about their processing and properties.