History of Monkey in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 26, 2026

The term 'monkey' generally refers to most mammals within the infraorder Simiiformes, also known as simians. Historically, all simians excluding apes were considered monkeys, creating a paraphyletic group. However, if apes are included, the terms 'monkeys' and 'simians' become synonymous, representing a more complete classification. This reflects the ongoing evolution and refinement of biological classifications.

1900: Publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

In 1900, L. Frank Baum's novel, 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', was published, introducing the characters of the winged monkeys.

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1911: Encyclopædia Britannica on Apes

In 1911, the Encyclopædia Britannica entry for 'ape' noted that the term was either a synonym for 'monkey' or used to mean a tailless human-like primate, highlighting the lack of clear distinction between the two terms at the time.

1939: The Wizard of Oz Film Release

In 1939, the film adaptation of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' was released, featuring the winged monkeys as prominent characters.

June 14, 1949: First Monkey in Space

On June 14, 1949, Albert II became the first monkey in space, launched by the United States in a V-2 rocket as part of their space exploration program.

1994: U.S. Primate Research

In 1994, the United States began using an average of 54,000 non-human primates in research annually, contributing to the global total of primates used in research.

2002: EU Primate Research

In 2002, around 10,000 non-human primates were used in research within the European Union, contributing to the overall number of primates used for scientific purposes.

2004: U.S. Primate Research

By 2004, the United States had used an average of 54,000 non-human primates annually for research purposes.

2010: U.S. Revises Service Animal Definition

In 2010, the U.S. federal government revised its definition of service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to exclude non-human primates.