Laparoscopy has revolutionised surgery, exhibiting an interesting development that was lead by numerous seminal characters in the field. It was initially experimented in dogs, in 1902 by George Kelling in Germany who laid the principal foundations. Eight years later, this approach was used on a human patient by Hans Christian Jacobaeus in Sweden. Following a series of developments and publications through the 1950s, before Tarasconi utilised endoscopic operative techniques to perform organ resection in 1976. This was the first published work detailing laparoscopic surgical resection. Shortly thereafter, Kurt Semm performed a laparoscopic appendectomy that would accelerate the use of laparoscopy in general surgery. Harsh criticism ensued at the hands of his colleagues, with appeals to revoke his medical license. Despite this, Semm was determined to pursue the potential this new technology demonstrated. Being a gynaecologist, he also pioneered techniques in laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, as well as forming a medical instrument company in Munich, Germany (one of the epicentres of current endoscopic equipment). Following this, further developments were propelled by advancements in technology. This immense technical feat has lead to other forms of minimally-invasive surgery, such as robotic-assisted surgery. The author aims to present the key events, figures, and technology related to the development of laparoscopy.