How the Invention of the Microscope Changed the World
Before the microscope, we had no idea the world was made up of cells.
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Transcript
Microscopes are instruments that help us see the tiniest units of life—cells! But before microscopes were invented, no one knew that cells existed.
Around 1590, the first light microscopes helped illuminate and magnify objects that were invisible to the naked eye. Now scientists could take a closer look at things.
In 1665, Robert Hooke examined a slice of cork and noticed tiny honeycomb-shaped units he called “cells.”
Five years later, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek developed a more powerful microscope and observed the first living cells, including bacteria.
Over time, the microscope helped scientists develop the three key points of cell theory: cells are the most basic unit of life; all living things are made up of cells; and all cells come from pre-existing cells.
Around 1590, the first light microscopes helped illuminate and magnify objects that were invisible to the naked eye. Now scientists could take a closer look at things.
In 1665, Robert Hooke examined a slice of cork and noticed tiny honeycomb-shaped units he called “cells.”
Five years later, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek developed a more powerful microscope and observed the first living cells, including bacteria.
Over time, the microscope helped scientists develop the three key points of cell theory: cells are the most basic unit of life; all living things are made up of cells; and all cells come from pre-existing cells.