The History Of Microscopes

By: Jim Samposzi Click author's name for more of his/her articles

The invention of the modern microscope is a series of several iterations of constructing a tube to magnify matter using lenses and light. The microscope is the perfect tool for scientists and chemists to view microscopic material through a lens to magnify it exponentially. There were many versions of the microscope that were conceived of during the time of the ancient Egyptians in 2600 B.C. Many different ethnic groups around the globe had their version of this instrument but all feel short to the power we see in microscopes today. After these times though, The French, English, and Germans all came out with stunning instruments that paved the way for the modern day microscope.

In the early days, a father and son, Hans and Zacharias Janssen, built the most efficient model yet which was simply a tube with a lens attached to the end. This early inception of microscopes magnified things near three to nine times their actual size. It is debated though whether it was Hans conceived of this first microscope for the son Zacharias was very young at this time.

Robert Hooke, an Englishman of the 17th century was known for various discoveries and realizations in science and math. Hooke was a chemist, mathematician, physicist, and inventor. In 1660, he conceived of a design of the microscope making them strong enough to view cells of plant life. As a matter of fact, Hooke created the word word cells that described these microscopic particles that were viewed in a microscope. He was known to have had spawned the birth of physics that Sir Isaac Newton later expanded upon.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek, of the 1600â€™s was a brilliant and talented individual. Although the man was absent of a large fortune or inheritance to carry his research, he did develop many useful experiments and was known to have made a microscope good enough to be on the market. Leeuwenhoek however was the protege to Hooke for that he got most of is ideas from Hookeâ€™s publications and journals. This fact though is often debated as to which one of these men were the most contributory. Since they were around during the same time, some say Hooke got his inventions from Leeuwenhoek while other individuals believe it to be the opposite.

Enhancements on the design of this amazing tool in the 1700â€™s was slow going, until the middle portion of the 19th century when Charles A. Spencer came up with a microscope with capabilities like todayâ€™s microscopes. These powerful devices are strong enough to see figures at thousands of times of magnification; making things that would be impossible to see, possible to see. Spencer is said to be the godfather of present day microscope manufacturing and sales.

There were a slough of individuals who were known for their help in developing microscopes. However, the men listed previously are known as the pioneers and biggest contributors to the microscope we see today. Without the hard work and consistency of these pioneers, the microscope might not be what it is today. Or, it could be that, this incredible instrument could have been left by the wayside.

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About The Author: Jim Samposzi is a technical writer with more than 20 years of editorial experience. Jim is currently engaged as a journalist with our b2b site and is considered the company guru on optics. Take the time to visit our very useful web portal for more information on Microscope and Stereo Microscope.