Bibliodyssey just published an outstanding collection of illustrations depicting the development of the microscope. I recently saw these antique microscopes at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, and I enjoyed trying to match my photos with the engravings.
This ornately decorated microscope was made by Christopher Cock (~1665), designed by Hooke and used by him in preparing Micrographia. (NMHM, "The Billings Microscope Collection," 1974) Note the similarity to the microscope in this plate from Hooke's seminal book Micrographia (via Bibliodyssey):
I love the NMHM's period display cabinets, with their dated fonts and monochromatic backgrounds - it's like a wholesome rural American science fair diorama! (I think one could build a timeline of science museum curation styles, which, if properly calibrated, would accurately capture any date in twentieth century American history.)
As you can see, the NLM collection extends from Leewenhoek all the way to EM. The tiny microscope above with the copper globe was the first "desktop" electron microscope (!) made by RCA (1955). (NMHM, "The Billings Microscope Collection," 1974)
- Log in to post comments
More like this
light table with brain specimen slices
National Museum of Health and Medicine
Neuroanatomical collection
A few months ago I took a tour of the National Museum of Health and Medicine's neuroanatomical research collection. It's a remarkable hoard of preserved and sectioned human brains, most…
The Royal Society has just put Robert Hooke's folio online.
The 320-year-old notebook, which had been missing for centuries, was discovered in January of last year. In it, Hooke provides details of his experiments, and of the workings of the newly-formed Royal Society, of which he was first…
St Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC; wall of Room in Ward Retreat 1
Reproductions made by a patient, a disturbed case of dementia precox [praecox?]; pin or fingernail used to scratch paint from wall, top coat of paint buff color, superimposed upon a brick red coat of paint. Pictures symbolize…
The Moment of Conception and Ensoulment
Illumination from Jean Mansel, Vie de Nostre Seigneur Jesus Christ,
fifteenth century, fol. 174. 11.1 x 15.8 cm.
Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris
From "Making Visible Embryos"
Via the invaluable Morbid Anatomy, I discovered a remarkable new website, "Making…
cool.. more ancient (steampunky) stuff!! :D