Platelets are anucleate blood cells that have an important role in thrombosis, maintaining vascular integrity, development of the lymphatic system and innate immunity response. Their precursors are megakaryocytes but the exact mechanism of platelet development is not yet fully understood. The most accepted theory of thrombopoiesis is the one that includes proplatelets, cytoplasmic extensions of megakaryocites that form platelets on its ends. Megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis are influenced by loads of interleukins, transcription factors, cytoskeleton proteins and other molecules that are responsible for initiation of megakaryocyte differentiation from hematopoietic stem cells, their maturation and finally formation and release of platelets. The most important regulator of thrombopoiesis is thrombopoietin coupled with its receptor c-Mpl. In vitro formation of platelets happens in the bone marrow, lungs and circulation. In this work we reviewed recent litearture on possible sources of stem and progenitor cells for in vitro platelet generation, as well as modifications of culture conditions in order to optimize their ex vivo production. Recently, there is a growing need for platelet transfusions for treatment of bleedings in patients with congenital and acquired thrombocitopenias or defects of platelet function. Availability of platelet donors does not meet the needs of transfusions so in vitro systems of platelet manufactoring are developed. The ultimate goal is to make an efficient system with the abbility of continously manufacturing a sufficient number of functional platelets. The first in vitro production of platelets took place in 1995., platelets were manufactured from CD34+ stem cells. After that platelets were made from human embrional and induced pluripotent stem cells, by direct reprogramming of adipocytes and fibroblasts. Self-renewing megakaryocyte progenitors, who are able to produce megakaryocytes that develop platelets in any given moment with the addition of the right factors that regulate megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis, have been developed. Further improvement and combinations of described methods may be the key for the development of industrialized and personalized production of platelets in vitro that would satisfy the need for their transfusions.