Famous inventors
CITE
We have made every effort to follow citation style rules, but there may be some minor differences. If in doubt, please refer to the appropriate citation style manual.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. (2022). In Q-files Encyclopedia, Technology, Famous inventors. Retrieved from
https://www.q-files.com/technology/famous-inventors/antonie-van-leeuwenhoek
"Antonie van Leeuwenhoek." Technology, Famous inventors, Q-files Encyclopedia, 10 Feb. 2022.
https://www.q-files.com/technology/famous-inventors/antonie-van-leeuwenhoek.
Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2022. Technology, Famous inventors. Retrieved 19 March 2024, from
https://www.q-files.com/technology/famous-inventors/antonie-van-leeuwenhoek
Technology, Famous inventors, s.v. "Antonie van Leeuwenhoek," accessed March 19, 2024.
https://www.q-files.com/technology/famous-inventors/antonie-van-leeuwenhoek
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) was a Dutch draper and scientist. He is best known for his improvements to the newly-invented microscope and for his pioneering work in microbiology. Using his hand-made microscopes, van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe and describe single-celled organisms—which he called "animalcules"—which are now known as micro-organisms. He was also the first to observe blood flow in capillaries (tiny blood vessels).
High-magnification lenses
While working in his draper's shop, from 1654 onwards, van Leeuwenhoek became interested in glassmaking. Heating glass rods over a hot flame, he created long threads of glass, from which he managed to fashion tiny glass spheres. These spheres became lenses for his simple microscopes; the smallest spheres provided the highest magnifications, capable of magnifying between 275 and 500 times.
Van Leeuwenhoek reported his first microscopic observations, including bee mouthparts and stings, a human louse and fungus, to the Royal Society in London in 1673. Three years later, he studied water and was amazed to see tiny organisms floating around in it: he had become the first person ever to see bacteria.
Consultant: Dave Hawksett