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Compound Microscope Invention
Zacharias Janssen is attributed with the invention, development and building of the first compound (2 or more lens) microscope. This microscope was capable of up to 10x magnification and is a pivotal development for cell theory because without microscopes, we might never have been able to see cells. The microscope pictured at left is a recreation of the original. -
First Cell Observed
Robert Hooke, in 1665, was the first scientist to observe compartment like structures through a microscope of his own design. He used the term "cells" to describe the divisions in the cork sample that he observed. The reason he called them cells was due to the fact that they reminded him of the cells of a monastery. There are no surviving images or drawings of Robert Hooke from the 17th century. The image to the left was from his book, Micrographia. -
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch scientist, saw and described the first single celled organisms, or bacteria. He did so using a simple microscope of his own design that had a magnification of up to 270x, an unprecedented ability of the era. After this discovery, van Leeuwenhoek was dubbed the Father of Microbiology. The image at left is a portrait of Anton van Leeuwenhoek. -
Matthias Schleiden
Matthias Schleiden, a German botanist, discovered and stated that plants were all made of compartmentalized cells. This paved the way for Theodor Schwann to develop the cell theory, and thus, Schleiden is considered the cofounder of the theory. At left, a portrait of the German botanist. -
Theodor Schwann
Theodor Schwann made a number of constributions ot the field of science. Most notably, he was penned the first part of the cell theory: that all living things are composed of cells. Schwann did work with pepsin, a digestive enzyme, as well as yeast, which he described as plant-like organisms. At left, a portrait of Theodor Schwann. -
Alexander Braun
Alexander Braun contributed to the cell theory by reworking it and writing the second part. The second part of the cell theory states that cells hold the basic structure and function of all living things. This essentially expands upon Schwann and Schleiden's earlier statements. A portrait of Alexander Braun is at left. -
Rudolf Virchow
Rudolf Virchow is attributed with writing the third and final part of the cell theory. He stated, originally in Greek, that all cells come from pre-existing cells. Portrait at left is Rudolf Virchow.
