ABSTRACT
The self-made nature of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek's discoveries and microscopes tends to obscure the rich and dynamic 17th-century culture of microscopy that preceded his work. Rather than being limited by available magnifications, 17th-century microscopy was shaped by philosophical paradigms, visual and preparation techniques, and observation conditions. Taking into account new insights into his lens making methods, a comparison of Van Leeuwenhoek's methodology with 17th-century predecessors reveals, on the one hand, how his work was rooted in existing traditions, while on the other hand it makes us appreciate his innovations better. Van Leeuwenhoek elegantly turned the viewing practice associated with high-magnification microscopy into a convincing narrative. In doing so, he reaffirmed the central role of the microscope in the 17th-century inquiry of nature. This allowed him to open up new vistas and become the founder of microbiology.
Subject(s)
Microscopy , History, 17th Century , Microscopy/historyABSTRACT
The technique of neutron tomography has, after 350 years, enabled a first look inside the iconic single-lens microscopes of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek. Van Leeuwenhoek's 17th-century discovery of "animalcules" marks the birth of microbiology. His skillfully self-produced microscope lenses remained unsurpassed for over 150 years. Neutron tomography now enabled us to reveal the lens types Van Leeuwenhoek used. We argue that Van Leeuwenhoek's instruments incorporate some innovations that testify to an awareness of concurrent developments. In particular, our analysis shows that for making his best-performing microscopes, Van Leeuwenhoek deployed a lens-making procedure popularized in 1678 by Robert Hooke. This is notable, as Hooke always wanted to find the secret of Van Leeuwenhoek's lenses, but never managed to do so. Therefore, Van Leeuwenhoek was far from the isolated scholar he is often claimed to be; rather, his secrecy about his lenses was motivated by an attempt to conceal his indebtedness to Hooke.
