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Leeuwenhoek's first microscope and discovery of microbes.
Antony (October 24, 1632 - August 30, 1723), full name Thonius Philips van Leewenhoek was a Dutch tradesman and scientist from Delft, Netherlands. He
is commonly known as "the Father of Microbiology". He was born of basket
maker, at age 16 he secured an apprenticeship with a Scottish cloth merchant
in Amsterdam. He is the best known for his work on the improvement of the
microscope and for his contributions towards the establishment of microbiology.Using his handcrafted microscopes he was the first to observe and describe
single celled organisms, which he originally referred to as animalcules, and
which we now refer to as microorganisms. He was also the first to record
microscopic observations of muscle fibers, bacteria, spermatozoa and blood
flow in capillaries (small blood vessels).During his lifetime van Leeuwenhoek ground over 500 optical lenses. He also created over 400 different types of microscopes, only nine of which still exist today. His microscopes were made of silver or copper metal frames holding hand-ground lenses. Those that have survived the years are able to magnify up to 275 times. It is suspected, though, that van Leeuwenhoek possessed some microscopes that could magnify up to 500 times. Although he has been widely regarded as a dilettante or amateur, his scientific research was of remarkably high quality.
we exhibits his first report (Royal society of London) and microscope replica at our entrance hall.