History of the Microscope

The Microscope is a scientific device used for viewing very small objects, like cells. It can be capable of magnifying the image hundreds of times. This is possible because of the use of multiple lenses and an eyepiece. The microscope has been used for years by scientists to make many discoveries and learn more about cells, and other microorganisms.

The idea of the microscope was brought about by ancient scientists, like Claudius Ptolemy and the Romans, who developed lenses and experimented with Magnification. The microscope was first built by two Dutch glasses makers, named Zacharias and Hans Janssen.

The first microscopes were not very powerful and had a max magnification of 9x. The image was blurry and could be very hard to see. A microscope made for a noble by the Janssens had was 18 inches long, and 2 inches in diameter. It was controlled by three tubes that slid up and down to adjust the length.

The first successful microscope was developed by Antony Van Leeuwenhoek in the late 17th century. This microscope was capable of a magnification 270x. The microscope that is most common today is called a compound microscope. It has multiple lenses and can achieve a greater magnification. The microscope changed from something used as a novelty to something very important to science. Many years later, after many improvements, it was used by English Scientist Robert Hooke to observe cells for the first time ever.

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