REPOST: A Brief History of the Microscope

Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak

First crafted in the late 16th century, the microscope forever changed science by revealing worlds hidden from the naked eye. In this special repost from 2020, Gabrielle takes you through centuries of innovation—from glass lenses to high-tech marvels—and explores how this transformative tool shaped medicine, biology, and our understanding of life itself.

Three key topics

The origins of the microscope, including its earliest inventors and the coining of its name in 1625.

How microscopes evolved from simple lenses to electron and cryo-electron imaging.

The ways microscopes continue to impact scientific discovery today.

Links to Resources

Luke Jerram’s Glass Microbe Sculptures: https://www.lukejerram.com/

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases – COVID-19 Images: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/novel-coronavirus-sarscov2-images

History of Microscopy – Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/technology/microscope

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