Cylindrical shells of isotropic and composite laminated materials are being used many engineering applications. This paper reviews the literature focusing on various aspects of shell research. The aspects of research receiving interest here are the cylindrical theory being used, the stress, buckling analysis and the impact analysis. The vibration analyses and stiffening characteristics of the cylindrical shell are investigated. The design optimizations of the cylindrical shell are reviewed. The studies on the conical and spherical shell are also reviewed. This review aticles contain 236 referencees.