Study: Van Leeuwenhoek Achieved Pioneering Results with Ordinary Lens
Written by AZoOpticsMay 17 2021
A new study by Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Leiden and TU Delft demonstrates that a microscope utilized by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to carry out pioneering research includes a surprisingly ordinary lens.
Microscope lenses reconstructed according to the method of Robert Hooke, which Antoni van Leeuwenhoek also used for his highly magnifying microscopes. Image Credit: Rijksmuseum Boerhaave/TU Delft.
It is a noteworthy finding since Van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) guided other researchers to think that his instruments were exceptional. As a result, there have been various guesses regarding his technique for making lenses for over 300 years. The study findings were published in the journal
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IMAGE: Microscope lenses reconstructed according to the method of Robert Hooke, which Antoni van Leeuwenhoek also used for his highly magnifying microscopes. view more
Credit: Rijksmuseum Boerhaave/TU Delft
A microscope used by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to conduct pioneering research contains a surprisingly ordinary lens, as new research by Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Leiden and TU Delft shows. It is a remarkable finding, because Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) led other scientists to believe that his instruments were exceptional. Consequently, there has been speculation about his method for making lenses for more than three centuries. The results of this study were published in