•Some stories of ammonia borane were introduced.•Synthetic methods of ammonia borane were reviewed.•Structural information of ammonia borane was outlined.•Reactions of ammonia borane were summarized.•Regeneration of ammonia borane was reviewed.Ammonia borane (NH3BH3), the simplest of the amine boranes, has yielded its secrets grudgingly since its first attempted synthesis in 1923. Here we review aspects of its history that yield insight into its chemistry and properties with special attention to current efforts to develop ammonia borane as a solid hydrogen storage material by improving its synthesis, dehydrogenation characteristics and spent fuel regeneration technologies.Ammonia borane has attracted considerable attention as a potential hydrogen storage material. Here we review aspects of its history that yield insight into its chemistry and properties with the special attention to current efforts to develop it as the hydrogen storage material by improving its synthesis, dehydrogenation and regeneration technologies.