This paper presents a survey of investigations on the parental care (oviposition, brooding and associated structures, and functions) in cheilostome bryozoans since the first description of ovicells by John Ellis in 1755 until the present day. The development of the ideas and controversies on brood chamber structure, origin and formation, and the development of modern terminology are outlined chronologically. Special attention has been paid to the priority in describing different structures and phenomena associated with parental care in Cheilostomata. The current state of our knowledge is also presented.