The microscope, an invention that changed the way humans look at the world, came about through the process of much experimentation. Originating in the late 16th century, the microscope is certainly one of the most groundbreaking instruments.
History
One of the earliest models of the microscope is generally agreed to have emerged in 1595. It has been accredited to Hans Lipershey and Zacharias Jansen. These eyeglass makers experimented with lenses in order to see things too small for the unaided eye. The term "microscope" itself seems to have derived from Giovanni Faber. Although early models of the microscope existed before, Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) is widely acknowledged as the man responsible for greatly improving the basic compound microscope with his knowledge of lenses. Leeuwenhoek was vastly undereducated in the ways of science but excelled in his creation of of glass lenses. His mastery of this practice enabled him to create over 400 microscopes, each capable of magnification of up to 300 times.
Leeuwenhoek's Legacy
This significant Dutch maker of microscopes is often championed as the "Father of Microbiology." What allowed Leeuwenhoek to so greatly improve the basic model of the microscope was his ability to manipulate glass in such a precise manner. In fact, his technique of shaping his lenses was so critical to the function of the microscope that he made sure to keep it a secret. Recognized by his peers, Leeuwenhoek was inducted into the Royal Society of England and amazed them with his discovery of the single-celled organism, a phenomena completely unknown at the time.
Types
There are three basic types of microscopes: optical, scanning and electron. The optical microscope is the most basic and most common. It utilizes visible light to magnify the image of an object. The compound microscope uses two lenses inside a closed tube that act to magnify the image of an object up to 2,000 times. An electron microscope makes use of electron light to magnify an object. The two types of electron microscope include the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Electron microscopes are capable of magnifying an object up to 100,000 times. A scanning probe microscope uses a probe to scan the surface of a specimen and creates a 3D image.
The Optical Microscope
The optical microscope is most essential to the early experiments and birth of the modern microscope because it is the most basic. For years, scientists struggled with the positioning and creation of lenses to magnify to large degree. The utilization of two lenses, an objective and an ocular, allowed for greater magnification than with a single lens. Leeuwenhoek's glass work propelled this basic model to even greater heights.
Significance
The discovery of the microscope has enabled man to learn a great deal about life on the atomic and microscopic level. The early compound microscopes were far superior to any previous models and enabled Leeuwenhoek to discover capillary systems, protozoa and bacteria. Leeuwenhoek also observed various plant and muscle tissue, as well as the life cycle of ants. Modern microscopes, far superior to Leeuwenhoek's early model, have allowed for the intense study of organisms and life on atomic levels. Progress in modern science owes much to the advent of the microscope.
Tags: electron microscope, basic model, compound microscope, image object, life atomic, light magnify
