Receiving wire antennas are useful on 160 and 80 meters, where rotatable antennas are impractical for all but a few lucky hams.  The noise is so high on these bands that efficiency can be sacrificed with a negligible effect on receive signal to noise ratio.

Beverage

• The Classic Beverage Antenna, Revisited 
  QST January 1982, pp. 11-17
  An update on an historical 1922 QST article describing the “definitive” receiving antenna.
• The Wave Antenna For 200 Meter Reception 
  QST November 1922, pp. 7-15
  The original article by Mr. Beverage that started a legend.

EWE

• Is this Ewe for You? 
  QST February 1995, pp. 31-33
  Feedback QST April 1995, p 75
  Here's a really simple receiving antenna for 80 and 160-meter Dxing.
• More EWEs for You 
  QST January 1996, pp. 32-34
  You've seen the basic EWE, now you can have switchable, directional EWEs!

K9AY Loop

• The K9AY Terminated Loop--A Compact, Directional Receiving Antenna 
  QST September 1997, pp. 43-46
  Wish you had enough room for an effective low-band receiving antenna? You do! This four-direction system by Gary Breed K9AY fits in a 30-foot circle!
• Comments on The K9AY Terminated Loop 
  QST April 1998, pp. 77-78
  Technical Correspondence on the Gary Breed K9AY Terminated Loop.
• Hum Problems When Switching The K9AY Loops 
  QST May 1998, p. 73
  Technical Correspondence on the Gary Breed K9AY Terminated Loop.