Timeline of Influenza Research By emmahansen Jan 1, 1918 Search for influenza virus begins Jan 1, 1922 Laidlaw begins project on influenza Jan 1, 1933 Influenza A isolated by Smith, Andrewes, and Laidlaw Jul 8, 1933 Paper published stating influenza is a virus Jan 1, 1936 Influenza B isolated by Francis Jan 1, 1936 Burnet discovers influenza may be grown in hens' eggs Led to further studies of influenza's characteristics and the development of vaccines Jan 1, 1940 First influenza vaccine licensed Jan 1, 1954 Jonas Salk creates effective polio vaccine