There has been increasing interest in intentional synthesis of nanowires and nanotubes based on a large variety of materials. A deeper understanding of their properties and a sufficient growth control are in the center of current research interest. Strategies for position-controlled and nano-patterned growth of nanowire arrays are demonstrated by selected examples of our work based on ZnO nanowires as well as discussed in terms of larger scale realization and future industrial prospects. The physical properties of single ZnO nanowires are presented on selected examples. Recently, we demonstrated one-dimensional free-standing spinel nanotubes which were transformed from nanowires via the Kirkendall effect and solid state reaction. The nanoscale Kirkendall effect provides a general fabrication route to hollow nanostructures, including high aspect ratio nanotubes. Such ordered arrays of spinel nanotubes may possess similar application potentials as carbon nanotubes.