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Who Invented The Microscope?

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The microscope is an invention that has its roots in many different cultures throughout history. It went through a long process of experiments, developments, and improvements that have made the microscope function the way that it does today. The microscope helps scientists, doctors, and others to see things that the named eye is unable to, and without it, the world would probably be a very different place. If you want to learn more about the history and invention of the microscope, continue reading and you may learn something you didn’t know before!

Very Early History

Early history points to the Ancient Romans for the initial idea for the microscope. The Ancient Romans discovered a method of using lens to make objects appear in different sizes. They noticed that light reflected through the lens helped to make an object appear bigger than it actually is. Development of the lens did not continue for centuries later, but the Romans are, without a doubt, responsible for the start of microscope production.

Two Inventors

Microscope development picked up again during the 13^th century, but it was until 1590 that a real breakthrough took place. Hans and Zacharias Janssen began testing lenses. By using multiple lenses that were inserted in a tube-like fixture, the father and son team discovered that they were able to see microscopic images at a magnified definition. This discovery would eventually be identified as the compound microscope, and their discovery would lead to further developments by other scientists over time.

Galileo

Galileo took the next step in microscope development. He decided to take the work done by the Janssen’s and work to explain it in scientific terms. He used the work done before him to improve the original microscope design, and he even used what he learned to improve his own original work on the telescope. There are many other names that were crucial to the development of the microscope, but the cultures and names mentioned above are responsible for the creation of the microscope.