Attempts at human resuscitation date back to ancient times. Most strategies for resuscitation focused on adults until the early 1800s, when newborn resuscitation captured the interest of noted practitioners. The most promising techniques and strategies for neonatal resuscitation were developed during the latter part of the twentieth century. This article examines the key components of neonatal resuscitation and the discoveries that stimulated the development of current neonatal resuscitation practices.