Micrographia

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Robert Hooke's drawings

drawing of a female gnat by Robert Hooke

Robert Hooke's Discovery: The Microscopic World of Cells

Micrographia

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June 30, 2026

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Robert Hooke's drawings — Robert Hooke's drawings Robert Hooke's drawings of the cellular structure of cork and a sprig of sensitive plant from Micrographia (1665).

Micrographia, published in 1665 by Robert Hooke, is a seminal work in scientific illustration and observation. The book features detailed drawings and studies of various objects viewed under a microscope.12

Hooke is most famous for his use of the word "cell" to describe the microscopic, honeycomb-like structures he observed in cork. This observation contributed significantly to the development of cell theory. Micrographia also included Hooke's studies on the crystal structure of snowflakes and his early ideas that would later influence the theory of evolution. The book showcased the power of the newly developed microscope to reveal a previously unseen world of intricate detail.1324

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biology
The discovery of cells
In 1665 Hooke published his Micrographia, which was primarily a review of a series of observations that he had made while following the development and improvement of the microscope. Hooke described in detail the structure of feathers, the stinger of a bee, the radula, or “tongue,” of mollusks, and the…
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In 1665 Hooke published his Micrographia, which was primarily a review of a series of observations that he had made while following the development and improvement of the microscope. Hooke described in detail the structure of feathers, the stinger of a bee, the radula, or “tongue,” of mollusks, and the…
Read More

botany
Historical background
…Hooke published, under the title Micrographia, the results of his microscopic observations on several plant tissues. He is remembered as the coiner of the word “cell,” referring to the cavities he observed in thin slices of cork; his observation that living cells contain sap and other materials too often has…
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…Hooke published, under the title Micrographia, the results of his microscopic observations on several plant tissues. He is remembered as the coiner of the word “cell,” referring to the cavities he observed in thin slices of cork; his observation that living cells contain sap and other materials too often has…
Read More

Robert Hooke
In Micrographia (1665; “Small Drawings”) he included his studies and illustrations of the crystal structure of snowflakes, discussed the possibility of manufacturing artificial fibres by a process similar to the spinning of the silkworm, and first used the word cell to name the microscopic honeycomb cavities…
Read More
In Micrographia (1665; “Small Drawings”) he included his studies and illustrations of the crystal structure of snowflakes, discussed the possibility of manufacturing artificial fibres by a process similar to the spinning of the silkworm, and first used the word cell to name the microscopic honeycomb cavities…
Read More

microscope
History of optical microscopes
…published a folio volume titled Micrographia, which introduced a wide range of microscopic views of familiar objects (fleas, lice, and nettles among them). In this book he coined the term cell.
Read More
…published a folio volume titled Micrographia, which introduced a wide range of microscopic views of familiar objects (fleas, lice, and nettles among them). In this book he coined the term cell.
Read More