This article focuses on the history of anesthesia. From remote times until the advent of plastic, the sponge, a humble marine poriferan, proved helpful to mankind as anesthesia. The ancient people distinguished four different species of sponges. The cleansing of wounds with cold water and sponges or the frictions with oil-soaked sponges must have suggested their use as vectors of soothing substances and analgesics. The use of sea sponges not rinsed in water, in order to keep their hygroscopic properties unaltered, was recommended in the 12th century. Professor Ugo Borgognoni pioneered new soporific mixtures and their inhalational administration instead of the usual oral route. Drugs he repeatedly used include thebaic opium in various doses, the herb of Matala, henbane, and mandrake. The sponge was to experience a glorious revival in surgery and anesthesia when soaked in ether. Controversy surrounded the best apparatus to deliver ether anesthesia, which was being rapidly adopted by surgeons throughout Europe. Luigi Porta, Professor of Surgery at the University of Pavia, who experimented with ether on himself about one hundred times, favored simplicity.