Name:

Science Teacher:

Year Completed:

Assignment Commentary:

Sam

Dina Srouji

2001

This is a paper I wrote for a lab in the 1st Semester of school.

Since the 16th century the microscope has been one of science's best tools and has helped in making some of the most amazing discoveries of the world.

The first compound microscope has been said to have been invented by Galileo, but in fact Galileo didn't purchase his first microscope until around 1607. The credit for the first compound microscope goes to a man by the name of Zacharias Jansen. Zacharias Jansen lived in Middleburg Holland around the year 1595. No models of his microscope remain intact today. During the 17th century the microscope went through many changes, and produced some of the earliest human discoveries. The most drastic change in microscopes during the 17th century was the change from a 2-lens system to a 3-lens system.

The first 3-lens compound microscope is attributed to Robert Hooke. The first scientific papers were published using the microscope as a scientific tool, during the 17th century. Most microscopes in Italy at that time were hand held, and were used by the upper class as recreational tools. While most of the microscopes made in England at that time were about 2 feet tall and were used for more scientific purposes.

The 18th century led the way for many mechanical improvements to the microscope, such as increased stability, facilitated smooth focus, and greater ease with the use of microscope. In the early 18th century the great improvement were a raised tripod, a sliding stage, and better focus. One of the most well known manufactures of telescopes at that time was John Cuff. The Cuff stile microscope was the easiest and smoothest microscope to use at that time period. The last great invention of the 18th century was the Solar microscope invented sometime before 1742.

Finally the 19th century brought the advancement of optical imaging instead of mechanical revolution. The optical problems of the 18th century were corrected by Dolland and Lister in the 1830's. However the biggest change in microscopes in the 19th century is the movement from Brass to Iron. Iron is a lot less expensive and more sturdy than the commonly used brass. Iron also protected the microscope from corrosion.

The microscope has come a long way through history, and scientists will continue to make new discoveries. Science would be entirely different without the invention of one of science's most useful tools, the microscope.