History of Blood

  • 2500 BCE

    Egyptians used bloodletting to try to cure diseases

    Egyptians used bloodletting to try to cure diseases
  • 500 BCE

    Greeks distinguished between arteries and veins

    Greeks distinguished between arteries and veins
  • Anton van Leeuwenhoek viewed blood cells under a microscope

    Anton van Leeuwenhoek viewed blood cells under a microscope
  • First blood transfusion

    First blood transfusion
  • Karl Landsteiner discovered three blood types: A, B, O

    Karl Landsteiner discovered three blood types: A, B, O
  • Alfred Descastello discovered a fourth blood type: AB

    Alfred Descastello discovered a fourth blood type: AB
  • Percy Oliver established the first blood donor service

    Percy Oliver established the first blood donor service
  • Mayo Clinic developed a method to store blood for transfusions

    Mayo Clinic developed a method to store blood for transfusions
  • Dr Bernard Fantus established the first blood bank

    Dr Bernard Fantus established the first blood bank
  • Karl Landateiner discovered the Rh protein

    Karl Landateiner discovered the Rh protein
  • First case of AIDS recorded in the Congo

    First case of AIDS recorded in the Congo
  • Robert Gallo identified the virus causing AIDS

    Robert Gallo identified the virus causing AIDS
  • Development of ELISA test to screen for diseases such as HIV

    Development of ELISA test to screen for diseases such as HIV
  • Scientists began developing blood-screening tests for infectious diseases

    Scientists began developing blood-screening tests for infectious diseases