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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
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This
page illustrates several replicas of antique microscopes, similar to the
instruments made by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632 - 1723). Antoni van
Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch microscopist who was the first to observe bacteria
and protozoa, and is many times referred to as the father of microbiology.
Van Leeuwenhoek made microscopes consisting of a single high-quality lens of
very short focal length. At the time, such simple microscopes were preferable
to the compound microscope, which increased the problem of chromatic
aberration. Van Leeuwenhoek’s methods of microscopy remain something of a
mystery. During his lifetime he made more than 500 lenses, most of which were
very small (no larger than a pinhead) and usually mounted them between two
thin brass plates, riveted together. A large sample of those lenses were
found to have magnifying powers in the range of 50 to, at the most, 300
times. Please click on the images to access more information and images about
each instrument.
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