The article presents the prerequisites, formation and development of ideas about urolithiasis. The purpose of this review was to analyze the basic ideas about the urolithiasis, starting from the era of the Ancient World and ending with studies of the Modern period. In preparing the text of this publication, articles in publications included in the RSCI, PubMed were used. The depth of the search for publications was 15 years, and a number of earlier works corresponding to the research topic were also included in the review. The results of the process of formation and development of ideas about the urolithiasis are presented. So, already in the ancient era, healers asked questions about the causes, the process of development of the urolithiasis. In the Middle Ages, the accumulation of empirical knowledge in this area continued. The understanding of the methods and means of treating urolithiasis was expanding and deepening. In modern times, the concept of the ICD received a more complete description. Risk factors and mechanisms for the development of this disease began to be studied. Today, research in this area continues.

Keywords: history of nephrology, history of science, history of medicine, urolithiasis