Blood has attracted human interest since the dawn of history. The human spirit, strength, and character have been identified with blood. The first known human-to-human blood transfusion (1492) was performed on Pope Innocent VIII with the aim of rejuvenating him, using blood from three young men. This procedure ended with the death of the Pope and the young donors. Initially, blood transfusions were attempted from animal to animal, followed by attempts at blood transfusions from animal to human. A blood transfusion from a lamb to a human was performed to calm a person with mental disorders, followed by attempts at blood transfusions from various animals to humans. Following acute hemolysis cases that ended in death, the Paris Medical Association declared this practice illegal and banned it.

The first human-to-human transfusion was performed by American Dr. Philip Syng Physick. Another significant example in the field of transfusion is James Blundell's blood transfusions from husbands to women with postpartum hemorrhage. Five of the ten transfusions performed by Blundell were successful. The discovery of blood groups by Karl Landsteiner (1901) marks a turning point in the history of transfusion. The A, B, and O blood groups were discovered first, followed by the AB blood group a year later, and the Rh blood group in 1939. The subantigens of the Rh blood group were discovered in 1944. In 1942, Bernstein discovered that blood groups are inherited in humans according to Mendel's laws. In 1946, the Kell, Duffy, and Kidd blood group systems were discovered. Today, there are over 360 different blood group antigens within 48 blood group system.

Landsteiner won the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his discovery of blood groups. In 1907, it was recognized that blood group compatibility between donor and patient was necessary, and the first cross-matching tests were performed by Ruben Ottenberg. With these studies, Ottenberg demonstrated that the O blood group is a universal donor.

A milestone in blood banking was the use of sodium citrate, an anticoagulant, in blood transfusions (1914-1915) (Hustin, Agote, Levishon). Prior to this discovery, transfusions were performed by transferring blood from the donor to the patient using syringes or vascular anastomoses. However, with the ability to store blood without clotting, transfusions began to be performed by transferring blood from the donor into a glass bottle containing citrate and then to the patient. The world's first blood bank was established in England in 1921 by Oliver Percy. Later, with the addition of dextrose, phosphate, adenine, and mannitol mixtures, blood could be stored for up to 42 days in four-degree blood refrigerators. In 1930, Russian Shamov performed the first transfusion of cadaver blood to a living person. In the following years, transfusions were performed on 2,500 people using this method. In 1935, the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) was founded. At its 1937 congress, the ISBT adopted the ABO terminology for blood grouping. In 1950, plastic blood bags were developed. In 1953, blood components were obtained using a refrigerated centrifuge method. In 1968, the first apheresis devices were developed.

In Turkey, the first human-to-human transfusion was performed at Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital in 1932. Starting in 1945, small blood units were established in some hospitals. In 1957, Red Crescent blood banks were established first in Ankara and then in Istanbul. In 1983, Law No. 2857 on Blood and Blood Products was enacted in Turkey. In ……, a new blood law and related regulations were enacted in light of scientific developments. Accordingly, Red Crescent Regional Blood Centers and Hospital Transfusion Centers were established. Guidelines were developed.

Mandatory screening tests were initiated for diseases transmitted through transfusion, including HBV, syphilis, malaria, HIV, and most recently HCV. In 1996, the Blood Centers and Transfusion Association (KMTD) was established. In 1997, a donor screening form was created and its use was made mandatory throughout Turkey. When KMTD was established, whole blood usage in Turkey was over 95%. KMTD, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, held 118 educational meetings in 74 provinces, explaining blood components, transfusion indications and complications, and blood bank-clinic relationships. As a result, component usage was adopted throughout the country. Annual courses and conferences were held to keep pace with developments worldwide and in Turkey. Recently, training has focused particularly on Hemovigilance (blood monitoring system) and Patient Blood Management. Currently, components are used not only for component requirements but also for various treatment options. For this purpose, platelets, mesenchymal stem cells, and plasma are used in regenerative medicine and wound healing.

In light of scientific and technological developments, the following developments are expected in the field of transfusion in the future: Artificial blood (oxygen-carrying hemoglobin derivatives and engineered products), Universal blood production and conversion of erythrocytes from various blood groups to O-type erythrocytes (cell tissue engineering), digital and automation systems, and artificial intelligence will enable fast and accurate data analysis, reduction of human error, reduction of infection risk, and the use of advanced bioprinters.