EducationHistory

Who invented the microscope for the first time

Such a device as a microscope, both before and in the modern world is very popular. Each of us since the school times well remembers that this is an optical device that increases the objects in hundreds, and even thousands of times. At the lessons of biology, we looked through the eyepiece to the cells of the onion film and were surprised at the cleverness and complexity of such a device. Today we will try to understand who invented the microscope, since there is as yet no exact answer to this question.

How did the first microscope appear?

The optical properties of curved surfaces were discovered back in the 300's BC. Euclid, in his treatises, described the studies carried out, explaining the refraction and reflection of light, as a result of which a visual increase in objects occurred. Ptolemy in his work "Optics" described the characteristics of flammable glasses. But at that time all these properties did not find application. And only after several centuries they were used in practice. Hans Jansen, together with his son Zacharias, built in 1550 the very first model of the device: two lenses were placed in one tube, thus obtaining a fiftyfold increase. This is one of the options for answering the question of who invented the primitive microscope. And Galileo in 1610 discovered that by expanding the telescope, he invented, you can also increase small objects. It was this scientist who began to be considered the one who invented the first microscope, consisting of a negative and positive lens. After this date, the research in this area began to develop rapidly.

17th century - the time of great discoveries

In this century, a real scientific and technological revolution took place, which became the foundation of most modern sciences: biology, medicine, physics, mathematics. Grandiose discoveries and great inventions were made. Just at that time, the microscopes improved significantly and became an important part of every researcher. But no one really said who invented the microscope, whom to consider it the creator. According to one of the opinions, the creator of the device under consideration is A. Kircher, who in 1646 described a device called "flea glass". What did it consist of? It was a magnifying glass, fixed in the base of copper, which held the stage. At the very bottom was a flat mirror reflecting the light and illuminating the object. With a screw, you could move the magnifying glass and adjust the image. Such a device became the prototype of a modern light microscope.

The eyewear system of K. Huygens and the further development of the device

The creation of this system was a big step in the development of microscopes. It was possible to obtain a colorless image, which made it possible to increase the clarity of the subjects studied. Scientist K. Drebel in the early 17th century made a complex microscope consisting of two lenses: the first is facing the object, the second - to the eye of the researcher. At the same time, in the first, biconvex glasses were used, which gave an inverted enlarged image. Robert Hooke in 1661 improved the device, adding another lens. This type became the most popular for most models of microscopes until the middle of the 18th century. Another inventor - Anthony Van Leuvenook - is also considered one who invented the microscope. The reason is his huge contribution to the development of the device in question. In his spare time, he polished the lens. Despite the fact that they were relatively small, the increase was astounding - 350-400 times.

Influence of the microscope on microbiology

Using his lenses, Levenguk created his own device and began to study various objects. So, just through one small sized spherical lens, he saw in a drop of dirty water a lot of living beings of the smallest size. It was concluded that there is some kind of microscopic life. Levenguk engaged in its study, which marked the beginning of yet another new science - microbiology. In 1861, the scientist presented his discovery to the Royal Society of London and received the title of inventor of microscopes and the greatest researcher. It turns out that he is the one who invented the microscope. To date, the described devices have undergone great changes. There were models that use not light to produce images, but electron fluxes, and sometimes laser radiation. For this, computer calculations are also used. The microscope has become one of the most important instruments in research in the natural sciences, it is used in chemistry, biology, and physics.

Electron microscope

If you ask yourself who invented the electron microscope, then the correct answer would be: physicists from Sheffield University. At the heart of the old device is the method of transmission microscopy, which allows obtaining image resolution limited only by the wavelength of an electron. In the construction of the translucent device, the researchers abandoned the magnetic lenses, since they basically reduced the resolution. Through the sample, waves were diffracted, and an image was obtained by computer analysis. This is electronic poultry. With the help of a small modification of the construction and a somewhat different way of forming the final image, scientists managed to increase the resolution by five times on the already existing device.

The principle of the electron microscope

Now it's not so important who invented the microscope for the first time. Now the ball is governed by completely different, much more powerful devices, including electronic ones. According to the principle of work, they are similar to light ones. Only in them instead of a light stream through the sample electrons pass, and magnets are used instead of glass lenses. But it is blurred due to the aberrations inherent in magnetic lenses. Scientists have found a way to restore images. This allowed to remove magnets from the circuit and, accordingly, distortions.

Who invented the light microscope? A bit of history

What is an optical microscope? This is a laboratory system designed to obtain images of small objects in an enlarged form for the purpose of their study, consideration and practical application. We began our article with the history of the development of the microscope, now we will look at this question from the other side. At present, such a device is necessary not only for doctors and biologists. Without it, it is impossible to imagine high-end modern technologies with current requirements for assembly control and product quality.

Let's talk about one achievement. In 2006, German scientists Mariano Bossi and Stefan Hell developed a nanoscope - a super-powerful optical microscope, which allows you to explore objects of a super-small size of 10 Nm, and also to obtain 3D images of the highest quality.

Briefly about the possibilities of modern devices

We have sorted out a little with the question of who invented the first microscope. And now literally a few words about the possibilities of modern instruments. In 2010, from the Israeli Yeshiva University came the news that scientists were able to trace how individual molecules move inside the cell. At the same time, German researchers captured molecular transformations in the course of chemical reactions. A year earlier, a clear image of a single atom was obtained at the Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology. It should also be noted that at present light microscopes catch up with electronic ones in their capabilities.

Similar articles

 

 

 

 

Trending Now

 

 

 

 

Newest

Copyright © 2018 en.delachieve.com. Theme powered by WordPress.