The Cell Theory Timeline

By MEEEGIRL

  • First Compound microscope

    Hans and (son) Zacharias Janssen invented the first compound microscope.

  • Robert Hooke

    Robert Hooke was observing cork under a microscope. He noticed little blocks that looked like the cells that monks use. He named these blocks "cells". He was the first to discover cells.

  • Francesco Redi

    Discovered that only flies can produce other flies, not rotting meat, though rotting meat does attract flies. It seems like common knowledge that rotting meat doesn't produce flies, but it supported the theory that cells need preexisting life to be produced.

  • Anton Van Leeuwenhoek

    First to view organisms from pond water. He made sketches of the organisms and was the first one to see living microscope organisms.

  • John Needham

    Concluded that cells don't need preexisting cells to be produced. HIs theory was proven wrong.

  • Lazzaro Spallanzani

    Proved Needham's theory to be wrong.
  • Period: to

    American Revolution

    America gained its independence from Great Britain

  • War of 1812

    War of 1812

  • Robert Brown

    Recognized the nucleus (he made up the word) as the mandatory part of the cells for life

  • Matthias Schleiden

    Observed plant cells. Concluded that "all plants are made of cells"

  • Theodor Shwann

    Shwann observed animal cells. He concluded "all animals are made of cells"

  • Rudolf Virchow

    Concluded that "all cells come from preexisting cells"