Visit http://LensOnLeeuwenhoek.net for a comprehensive website about Antony van Leeuwenhoek.
This video is an overview of the life, times, and accomplishments of Antony van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), the Dutch scientist who used hand-made single-lens microscopes to become the first human to see protozoa, bacteria, sperm, and red blood cells, among many other things.
Well done, as far as it goes. I've read Dobell, but it was nice to get a look at Delft and a little more feel about the context AVL worked in. Thanks.
One point, however. The lenses were not beads, they were ground and polished. See Ford's "Leeuwenhoek Legacy" and references therein.
222bored 1 year ago
@222bored Thanks for the comment!
On pages 165 and 179 of "The Leeuwenhoek Legacy", Ford mentions and illustrates van Leeuwenhoek's use of lenses that were beads of fused glass. Hooke's "Micrographia", which guided van Leeuwenhoek's first observations, explains in detail how to make such a lens. Even the best polishing leaves marks on lenses that small.
MatteoRicci 1 year ago