The utilisation of precise electrosurgical instrumentation to pass currents through bleeding tissue to achieve meticulous haemostasis in a precise fashion seems a world away from what were humble beginnings. Hot irons, herbal agents and compression were the starting point for surgical haemostasis and without this cornerstone, the development of operative techniques for all ailments could never have progressed. This presentation navigates from ancient Egyptian through medieval times and into the current era to explore our understanding of current haemostatic techniques and understanding and how it came to be. The development of instrumentation as well as understanding of the coagulation cascade and the events surrounding these will be discussed in detail.