The History of the Cell Theory

  • First Compound Microscope

    First Compound Microscope
    1595- Hans and Zachariah Jansen were credited with the 1st compound microscope. (Through my searches I found no specific date for any of these pieces of the timeline)
  • Cells in Cork

    Cells in Cork
    1655- Robert Hooke described how "cells" are in cork
  • Discovery of Protozoa

    Discovery of Protozoa
    1674- Anton Van Leeuwenhoek discovered protozoa. He then saw bacteria 9 years later.
  • Cell Nucleus Descibed

    Cell Nucleus Descibed
    1833 - Robert Brown described the cell nucleus in cells of the orchid.
  • Cell Theory Proposed

    Cell Theory Proposed
    1838 – Matthais Schleiden and Theodor Schwann proposed cell theory.
  • Sperm and Egg Cells are also cells

    Sperm and Egg Cells are also cells
    1840 – Albrecht von Roelliker realized that sperm cells and egg cells are also cells.
  • Observation of Sperm and Egg Cell

    Observation of Sperm and Egg Cell
    1856- N. Pringsheim observed how a sperm cell penetrated an egg cell.
  • Omnis Cellula E Cellula

    Omnis Cellula E Cellula
    1858- Rudolf Virchow expounds his famous conclusion (aka stolen conclusions from Robert Remak) meaning cells come from pre-existing cells.