Biography Category
Name :
Leeuwenhoek
Date :
Views :
398
Category :
Birth Date :
24/10/1632
Birth Place :
Delft, Netherlands
Death Date :
August 26, 1723
[b]A LAYMAN OR A LEGEND ?[/b][br /]
[br /]
A man, who had hardly received any formal education, was able to build an edifice like medical field. Amazing, isn’t it ? Leeuwenhoek is the best example of how curiosity and passion lead us to reveal the mysteries of nature. He made simple microscopes from scratch due to lack of requisite material and the technical backup. If we compare the complex microscopes that we have today, we would probably say that Leeuwenhoek’s microscopes were like a vintage trove treasure from those days, in biological science that was then crawling at snail pace in the 17th century.[br /]
[br /]
The ‘germ’ of cell theory was sown in the 17th century. Robert Hooke was the first to use the term ‘cell’ in his Micrographia published in 1665. Living cells, or rather their walls were first described by Hooke, Malpighi, Grew and Leeuwenhoek. Leeuwenhoek was attracted towards microbiology after reading Hooke’s writings. Thus, Leeuwenhoek was not the first person to observe the ‘cell’ but he was first to see bacteria, spermatozoa and red blood cells. People sometimes called him ‘the inventor of microscopes’, which is not true, because the compound microscope (microscopes using more than one lens) had been invented around 40 years prior to Leeuwenhoek’s birth. Leeuwenhoek is called ‘the father of microbiology’, which is aptly termed. It is another thing that Leeuwenhoek could not draw well, so he hired an illustrator to prepare drawings of the things he observed through the microscope, and his descriptions of microorganisms with their illustrations are instantly recognizable.[br /]
[br /]
Leeuwenhoek, the person who discovered and described microorganisms for the first time, is considered today as the father of bacteriology and protozoology too. All of his theories and works were accepted because he could prove his work appropriately and in an illustrated manner in respect to other scientists. His nine microscopes and his invaluable letters, the best proof of his hard efforts, are on display in London. Many scientists are following his path, continuing the researches that he had conducted.[br /]
[br /]
His microscopes have benefited the world, paving the way for manufacture of medicines to cure diseases. His ‘magic’ instrument revealed the things never known before, like bacteria, protozoa, spermatozoa, capillary systems, the life cycle of insects, the red blood cells, and the corpuscles. The generations after him have become more intelligent and more health conscious gaining knowledge of such things. His discoveries helped other scientists see what caused in people, sickness. Without his researches, we would have to suffer through the pain and agony as we would not have had any kind of medicine to cure the diseased person. All past or present biological researches have roots in his hard put efforts. As the technology advanced, we have a cure for many dreaded diseases like cancer. We can now reveal the ‘mystery about the destroyed giants on the earth’ – dinosaurs.[br /]
[br /]
The genius of Leeuwenhoek is, probably, the best thing that happened to mankind. His discoveries helped us make the world a better place to live in. We can see the pathogens, which are invisible to naked eyes, with the vision invaluable gifted to us by Leeuwenhoek and can fight against them. With future technology, we will be able to hopefully sort out and solve many other health problems, as well as environmental problems like pollution. The latest researches in DNA replication and unveiling of the genetic code are all thanks to that brilliant vision, first striking the eyes of genius Leeuwenhoek. So how can we forget this great son who contributed so much that later generations may prosper and survive the ravages of time and diseases.[br /]
[br /]
Leeuwenhoek did not write any research paper, but instead he noted his microscopic observations. But these observations themselves were like research papers.[br /]
[br /]
This layman worked without any advanced scientific instruments and made a series of discoveries. His love for microscope transcended his liking for any other thing in life. Today, with the advancement of science, the method of making microscopes is so advanced that the objects can be magnified up to 1,00,000 times, using electron waves.[br /]
[br /]
The nature will keep unfolding itself with efforts. Leeuwenhoek had something ‘unique’ in his researches that should be inculcated – his faith in his ideas, passion for revealing the hidden truth, strong will-power, boundless patience and last but the most worthy – deep insight.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
A man, who had hardly received any formal education, was able to build an edifice like medical field. Amazing, isn’t it ? Leeuwenhoek is the best example of how curiosity and passion lead us to reveal the mysteries of nature. He made simple microscopes from scratch due to lack of requisite material and the technical backup. If we compare the complex microscopes that we have today, we would probably say that Leeuwenhoek’s microscopes were like a vintage trove treasure from those days, in biological science that was then crawling at snail pace in the 17th century.[br /]
[br /]
The ‘germ’ of cell theory was sown in the 17th century. Robert Hooke was the first to use the term ‘cell’ in his Micrographia published in 1665. Living cells, or rather their walls were first described by Hooke, Malpighi, Grew and Leeuwenhoek. Leeuwenhoek was attracted towards microbiology after reading Hooke’s writings. Thus, Leeuwenhoek was not the first person to observe the ‘cell’ but he was first to see bacteria, spermatozoa and red blood cells. People sometimes called him ‘the inventor of microscopes’, which is not true, because the compound microscope (microscopes using more than one lens) had been invented around 40 years prior to Leeuwenhoek’s birth. Leeuwenhoek is called ‘the father of microbiology’, which is aptly termed. It is another thing that Leeuwenhoek could not draw well, so he hired an illustrator to prepare drawings of the things he observed through the microscope, and his descriptions of microorganisms with their illustrations are instantly recognizable.[br /]
[br /]
Leeuwenhoek, the person who discovered and described microorganisms for the first time, is considered today as the father of bacteriology and protozoology too. All of his theories and works were accepted because he could prove his work appropriately and in an illustrated manner in respect to other scientists. His nine microscopes and his invaluable letters, the best proof of his hard efforts, are on display in London. Many scientists are following his path, continuing the researches that he had conducted.[br /]
[br /]
His microscopes have benefited the world, paving the way for manufacture of medicines to cure diseases. His ‘magic’ instrument revealed the things never known before, like bacteria, protozoa, spermatozoa, capillary systems, the life cycle of insects, the red blood cells, and the corpuscles. The generations after him have become more intelligent and more health conscious gaining knowledge of such things. His discoveries helped other scientists see what caused in people, sickness. Without his researches, we would have to suffer through the pain and agony as we would not have had any kind of medicine to cure the diseased person. All past or present biological researches have roots in his hard put efforts. As the technology advanced, we have a cure for many dreaded diseases like cancer. We can now reveal the ‘mystery about the destroyed giants on the earth’ – dinosaurs.[br /]
[br /]
The genius of Leeuwenhoek is, probably, the best thing that happened to mankind. His discoveries helped us make the world a better place to live in. We can see the pathogens, which are invisible to naked eyes, with the vision invaluable gifted to us by Leeuwenhoek and can fight against them. With future technology, we will be able to hopefully sort out and solve many other health problems, as well as environmental problems like pollution. The latest researches in DNA replication and unveiling of the genetic code are all thanks to that brilliant vision, first striking the eyes of genius Leeuwenhoek. So how can we forget this great son who contributed so much that later generations may prosper and survive the ravages of time and diseases.[br /]
[br /]
Leeuwenhoek did not write any research paper, but instead he noted his microscopic observations. But these observations themselves were like research papers.[br /]
[br /]
This layman worked without any advanced scientific instruments and made a series of discoveries. His love for microscope transcended his liking for any other thing in life. Today, with the advancement of science, the method of making microscopes is so advanced that the objects can be magnified up to 1,00,000 times, using electron waves.[br /]
[br /]
The nature will keep unfolding itself with efforts. Leeuwenhoek had something ‘unique’ in his researches that should be inculcated – his faith in his ideas, passion for revealing the hidden truth, strong will-power, boundless patience and last but the most worthy – deep insight.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
