Microscopes and the Development of Cell Theory- Keely Sproviero

First Microscope

Oct 1, 1590

Spectacle makers in Middelburg, and The Netherlands, invented both the compound microscope and the refracting telescope. Most people think Hans and Zacharias Janssen first invented this device.

Van Leeuwenhoek and Hooke

Oct 1, 1610

First known users of the Microscope

Robert Hooke: Micrographia

Oct 1, 1665

Robert Hooke used an instrument to observe cork cells, and sketches of which appeared in his 1665 publication "Micrographia"

Francesco Redi

Oct 2, 1668

His simple discovery was antecedent to the concept that cells can only come from other like-cells.

Antoni van Leeuwenhook saw protozoa through a microscope

Oct 1, 1678

Antoni van Leeuwenhook reported that he had observed "little animals" -- protozoa -- through a microscope.­

John Needham: "Life Force"

Oct 2, 1700

A naturalist and clergyman from Scotland discovered the presence of micro-organisms in soup left exposed to air; he opined a “life force” existed in all matter – organic and inorganic.

Archromatic lenses

Oct 1, 1729

Achromatic lenses for spectacles were developed by Chester Moore Hall.

Lazzaro Spallanzani

Oct 2, 1765

Preformed experiments on soup in sealed containers from 1765-67 and proved the micro-organisms that spoiled the soup were air-born – further proof that cells can only reproduce like-cells.

Theodor Schwann: Published Book

Oct 1, 1839

Theodor Schwann published "Microscopic Investigations on the Accordance in the Structure and Growth of Plants and Animals," which steated the cell theory: All living things are made up of cells.

Rudolf Virchow: Extended Ideas

Oct 1, 1858

Rudolf Virchow extended the work of Schleiden and Schwann by proposing that all living cells must come from pre-existing cells.

Louis Pasteur: Wanted to disprove the cell theory

Oct 1, 1860

Louis Pasteur wanted to disprove spontaneous generation with an experiment that established the cell theory and solidified the basic steps of the modern scientific method.

Lois Pasteur and Robert Koch: Study of Bacteria

Oct 2, 1880

Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch both become engaged in microscopy and the study of bacteria.

August Weissman: "Biogenic Law"

Oct 2, 1880

Proposed amending “biogenic law” to include living cells “can trace their ancestry back to ancient times”.

Schleiden: Plants are composed of cells

Oct 1, 1881

Matthias Jakob Schleiden looked at a lot of plant samples. Recognized that all plants, and all the different parts of plants, are composed of cells.

Fritz Zernike: Unstained Cells

Oct 2, 1930

Fritz Zernike discovered he could view unstained cells using the phase angle of rays.

Max Knoll/Ernst Ruska: Fisrt Electron Microscope

Oct 2, 1931

Max Knoll and Ernst Ruska construct the first electron microscope.

First Electron Micrograph of a Biological Sample

Oct 2, 1934

First electron micrograph of a biological sample. long-leaved sundew fixed with osmium.

Frtiz Zernike: Brought Microscope to Market

Oct 2, 1941

It took until 1941 to bring a commercial microscope to market.

Porter and Blum: Ultra-Microtome Built

Oct 2, 1951

First ultra-microtome built by Porter and Blum.

First Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

Oct 2, 1996

The first environmental scanning electron microscope in the Czech Republic for observing samples in their natural state.