Brian's Cell Theory Timeline Project

Hans and Zacharias Janssen

Jan 1, 1590

Hans and Zacharias Janssen invented the first compound microscope in 1590.

Robert Hooke

Jan 1, 1655

Robert Hooke designed his own microscope and found out that matter was made up of things called cells in 1655.

Cell Theory

Jan 1, 1665

All living things are made up of cells. Cells are the basic unit of life. All cells only exist because of cells before them.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Jan 1, 1674

In 1674 Anton van Leeuwenhoek saw and described bacteria, protists, and sperm/blood cells.

Matthias Schleiden

Jan 1, 1838

Matthias Schleiden published how cell theory was applied to plants in 1838.

Theodore Schwann

Jan 1, 1839

Theodore Schwann published how cell theory was applied to animals.

Rudolph Virchow

Jan 1, 1869

In 1869, Rudolph Virchow is credited with creating cell theory and is thought to be the first to recognize leukemia cells.