Cell Theory Timeline

  • Hans and Zacharias Jansen

    Hans and Zacharias Jansen
    Invented the compound microscope (two lenses within a tube)
  • Robert Hooke*

    Robert Hooke*
    Saw the 1st cell while looking at a cork tree using a microscope. Gave “cells” their name
  • Francesco Redi

    Francesco Redi
    Used rotten meat to discover cells do NOT spontaneously pop up! Cells come from cells
  • Anton van Leeuvenhoek*

    Anton van Leeuvenhoek*
    1st scientist to observe one celled organisms (such as bacteria) using pond water & teeth scrapings
  • Mathias Schleidan

    Mathias Schleidan
    Discovered that plant tissues are made of cells. All plants are made of plant cells!
  • Theodore Schwann

    Theodore Schwann
    Discovered that animal tissues are made of cells. All animals are made of animal cells!
  • Rudolf Virchow

    Rudolf Virchow
    Observed cells dividing, which led to the 3rd part of the cell theory: “Cells come from pre-existing cells”
  • Francis Crick & James Watson

    Francis Crick & James Watson
    Made the 1st model of DNA, proving genes are hereditary