OBJECTIVE: To highlight some of the legendary figures in the medical field who have paved the path of thoracic surgery today. METHODS: We reviewed historical articles and landmark studies published in anesthesiology, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery, and summarized them as they pertain to current practice. RESULTS: Throughout our article, we have attempted to chronologically depict how our field has evolved, starting from the development of the stethoscope to reconstructing the esophagus using an extracorporeal tube to minimally invasive complex surgeries that we practice today. CONCLUSIONS: We hope that our article can inspire the young minds to further grow the field and take it to higher levels.