Classical Springer theory arose from Springer's observation  that all representations of certain reflection groups can be  
constructed from studying the geometry of flags. In this talk, we will  introduce Springer's theorem via examples, and explain generalizations  that have great arithmetic importance. More specifically, we will hint  at how Springer theory over a "local" or "global" base allows us to  geometrically interpret certain orbital integrals; this point of view is indispensable in Ngo's proof of the Fundamental Lemma.