Electromagnetic waves at frequencies below the X-ray region strongly couple to the optical vibrational modes in a solid. These coupled excitations have been called phonon polaritons. The relationship of the polariton frequency versus the polariton wavevector shows a remarkable dispersion, especially in the vicinity of the transverse and longitudinal optical mode frequencies. The significant frequency dependence enables valuable applications such as a tunable terahertz radiation source. The polariton dispersion relations of technologically important dielectric and ferroelectric crystals were reviewed in the broad terahertz range using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, far-infrared spectroscopy, and Raman scattering spectroscopy.