In 2006 first paper describing reprogramming of fibroblast into pluripotent cell, i.e. one that is able to differentiate into all tissues was published. Before that spectacular achievement many projects devoted to study the mechanisms of cell de-differentiation led to the establishment of animal cloning techniques and also derivation of embryonic stem cell lines. Present review summarizes the history of these studies and also describes pioneer works leading to derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells, current methods of reprogramming, and possible applications of these cells.