Reviewed are the salient features of the methods used for resolution and sensitivity enhancement in ₁₃C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of solids. Performance characteristics of the unique variable-temperature cross-polarization magic angle spinning (VT-CPMAS) apparatus developed in the IBM laboratory are given. Results of structural studies on fluoropolymers using this technique are presented, and the issue of intensities in cross-polarized spectra is discussed. In addition, results of an ongoing VT-CPMAS study of polypropylene dynamics are given. -- AATA