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Invention of the microscope
In the beginning of the 17th century the microscope was invented, giving us the first glimpse at microscopic life. This was important because, it allowed us to gather more data about things that we previously couldn't see. -
Modern word cell
The modern word cell comes directly from a book (Micrographia) written by Hooke that was published in 1665. This is important because, it identified what everything was made up of. -
A world of microorganisms
A world of microorganisms was revealed by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek on 10/9/1676, he found that their were tiny living organisms under his microscope. I included this event because, it was when people started to realize that there were organisms beyond what they eye can see. -
Organisms derive from other organisms
In 1831 Lazzaro Spallanzani and other researchers showed that organisms derive from other organisms. Robert Brown was the first to recognize that the nucleus as an essential constituent of living cells. This is important because, now we know where organisms come from. -
Official formulation of cell theory
In 1838 Schleiden and Schwann are considered to represent the official formulation of cell theory. All tissues are made up of cells. This is important because, it benchmarks when a concrete idea was formulated. -
Where cells come from
In 1858 Rudolf Virchow and Albert Kolliker said that all cells come from preexisting cells. This is important because, there is now a testable idea of where these cells come from. -
Introduction of immersion lens
After the immersion lens was introduced in 1870 different parts of the cell began to be identified. This is important because, now we can learn more about the composition of the cell and how it is working. -
Idea of nerve cell body
In October 1886 Wilhelm put forward the idea that the nerve-cell body and its prolongations from an independent unit. This is important because, it created an idea of what the cell was built on. -
Introduction of the term neurons
In 1891 Waldeyer introduced the term neurons. This is important because, it identifies a nervous tissue that is essential in cell theory. -
Connecting nerve cells
In 1898 Golgi's network theory was however a substantial step forward because it emphasized for the first time the function of branched axons in connecting nerve cells.