One of the most important inventions of the Middle Ages is the development of the microscope.By means of this device was able to examine the structure, invisible to the eye.It helped shape the provisions of cell theory, it has created opportunities for the development of microbiology.Moreover, the microscope was the first engine to create new highly mikroskopiruyut devices.They became instruments by which man was able to look at the atom.
historical information about the first microscope
Obviously, the microscope - is an unusual instrument.And what is surprising is the fact that it was invented in the Middle Ages.His father says Anton van Leeuwenhoek.But without detracting from the merits of the scientist, it must be said that the first mikroskopiruyut device designed or Galileo (1609), or Hans and Zachary Yanseny (1590).However, for the past very little information as to the form of the invention.
For this reason, the development of Hans and Zacharias Janssen is not taken seriously as the first microscope.A merit developer device belong to Galileo Galilei.His device is a combined installation with a simple eyepiece and two lenses.This microscope is called a composite light.Later Cornelis Drebbel (1620) modified this invention.
Apparently, the development of Galileo would continue only if Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1665 did not publish the work of the microscope.In it, he described the living organisms that are seen using their simplest single-lens microscope.This development and ingeniously simple, and incredibly difficult time.
microscope Leeuwenhoek, ahead of his time
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek's microscope - is a product consisting of a bronze plate with a lens attached thereto, and mounting hardware.The device is easily placed on the hand, but concealed extraordinary power: it is possible to increase the objects in the 275-500 times.This was achieved through the installation of a plano-convex lens small.And interestingly, until 1970, leading physicists could not figure out how to set up such Leeuwenhoek magnifiers.
Previously it was assumed that the lens microscope polished machined.However, this would require of remarkable perseverance and extreme high precision.In 1970 he was offered a hypothesis that Leeuwenhoek smelted lenses from glass fiber.He heats it, and then polished section, which was attached to the glass drop.This is much easier and faster, but to prove it is not possible: the owners of the remaining microscope Leeuwenhoek did not give consent to the experiment.However, this way you can collect Leeuwenhoek microscope even at home.
principle of using a microscope Leeuwenhoek
structure is extremely simple product that speaks of its ease of use.In fact, its use was extremely difficult because of the uncertainty of the focal length of the lens.Therefore, before considering the long time necessary to zoom in and out of the test device from the cutoff.And he cut located between the candle and the lens that maximizes the microstructure.And they become visible to the human eye.
Features microscope Leeuwenhoek
According to the results of the experiments, the increase in the microscope Leeuwenhoek was amazed how it has increased at least 275 times.Many researchers believe that the leading microscopist Middle Ages created a device that allowed to increase 500 times.Science fiction show figure in 1500, although it is impossible without the use of immersion oil.They simply did not exist.
However Leeuwenhoek set the tone for the development of many sciences and realized that the eye sees not all.There is a microcosm invisible to us.And there are many more exciting.From the height of the ages should be noted that the researcher was prophetically right.And today Leeuwenhoek microscope, which is located below the photo, is considered one of the engines of science.
Some hypotheses about the development of the microscope
Many scientists now believe that the microscope Leeuwenhoek was not created in a vacuum.Naturally, scientists knew some facts about the existence of the Galileo Optics.However, with the invention, the Italian had no similarities.Other historians believe that Leeuwenhoek took as a basis for the development of Hans and Zacharias Janssen.Incidentally, the latest microscope, too little is known.
As Hans and his son Zachary worked on the production of points, their development, rather, was similar to the invention of Galileo Galilei.Leeuwenhoek microscope is a device much more powerful, since it allows you to zoom in 275-500 times.Such power component light microscopes and Jansen, and Galileo had.Moreover, because of the two lenses, and they had twice as many errors.This took about 150 years to catch up compound microscope Leeuwenhoek microscope image quality and increase capacity.
hypotheses about the origin of the lens of the microscope Leeuwenhoek
historical sources allow to summarize the activities of the scientist.According to the Royal Society of England, he gathered about 25 Leeuwenhoek microscopes.Also, he was able to produce almost 500 lenses.It is not known why he had not created so many microscopes, apparently, these lenses are not allowed due to increase or were defective.Only 9 Leeuwenhoek microscopes survived to modern times.
There is an interesting hypothesis, that the microscope Leeuwenhoek was created on the basis of the natural lens of volcanic origin.Many scientists believe that it is just a drop of smelted glass to make them.Others agree that he was able to melt the glass filament and the lens do so.But the fact that of the 500 lenses scientist managed to create only 25 microscopes, speaks volumes.
In particular, he indirectly confirms the hypothesis of the origin of all three lenses.Apparently, a definitive answer is unlikely to be obtained without experiments.But to believe that without the presence of high-precision measuring instruments and grinding machine he was able to create a powerful lens, it is difficult.
Create microscope Leeuwenhoek home
Many people are trying to test some hypotheses about the origin of the lenses successfully manufactured microscope Leeuwenhoek at home.To do this, a simple alcohol burner to melt a thin glass thread until it appears in the drop.It should cool down, after which it must be sanded with one (opposite the spherical surface) side.
Grinding creates a plano-convex lens that meets the requirements of microscopy.It also will increase approximately 200-275 times.After only need to fix it on a solid tripod and consider objects of interest.However, there is one problem: the very end of the convex lens should be paid to the studied material.Researcher while looking at a flat surface of the lens.Only in this way should be used microscope.Leeuwenhoek, reviews of the Royal Society of which at one time provided him with a glorious reputation, most likely, that's created and used his invention.
