Lathyrus sativus is greatly misunderstood for the neurolathyrism epidemic worldwide in history caused via its overconsumption. That prevents the cultivation and utilization of L. sativus in spite of its good agronomic characters and potential as a functional food. However, L. sativus is an outstanding crop for sustainable agriculture and soil productivity maintenance under global climate change for its widespread and good resilience to environmental constraints. Therefore, reintroduce the underutilized crop is of strategic importance under the background of food safety, ecological civilization and rural revitalization. Published papers on Lathyrus researches could date back to 1861, 160 years ago. Remarkable achievements were obtained on fundamental researches and germplasm utilization of L. sativus under the sustained effectors of peer scholars. This review summarizes the development history over the past 160 years on L. sativus researches based on historical documents. First, three aspects of progresses are sort out around the core of neurolathyrism, including the factors causing neurolathyrism, investigating the mechanisms of neurolathyrism, and rethinking neurolathyrism epidemic and the biological functions of βODAP respectively with the highlighted purification and identification of neuroactive βODAP, investigation of mechanisms of neurolathyrism, pathways on βODAP biosynthesis, etc. Second, recent progress in neurotoxicology, germplasm evaluation and utilization, fundation researches on genetic improvement of L. sativus etc. are also reviewed. And further research of China scholars considered Lanzhou University as the representative on βODAP detection and biosynthetic pathway, physiological ecology, germplasm utilization of L. sativus and so on were analyzed especially. That suggested the internationally dominant position of China on Lathyrus researches. At last, the key directions for future research are previewed based on the current situation of L. sativus with lagging on genetic and molecular researches and lacking of comprehensive utilization, etc, to develop novel approaches and provide reference for germplasm utilization of L. sativus.