Liposomes are excellent carriers for protein antigens since they can contain large amounts of antigen, potentially in association with adjuvants. Liposomes may be made to mimic the pathogens that stimulated the evolution of the immune system. As such, numerous mechanisms exist to promote their uptake by antigen presenting cells and exposure of encapsulated antigens to the lymphocytes of the immune system for the induction of responses. The review is intended to describe the 30 year history of the use of liposomes are carriers of protein antigens, notably from the perspective of what we have learned about the immune system using liposomes.