The document outlines the history of the microscope, starting from the 13th century with spectacle makers creating lenses for 'flea glasses' to study small insects. Key developments include the creation of the first microscope by Zacharias and Hans Janssen in the 1590s, Galileo's improvements in 1625, and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek's single-lens microscope in 1674. Notable advancements continued with Richard Zsigmondy's ultra-microscope in 1925 and Fritz Zernike's phase-contrast microscope in 1932, leading to modern microscopy techniques.

1. Activity 2: Matchy! Matchy!
What to Do:
1. You will read the paragraphs below.
2. You will trace the history of the microscope by copying and filling in the boxes.
In the early 13th century, spectacle makers were producing lenses for glasses. The early
simple “microscopes” were known as “flea glasses” because they were used to study small
insects.
A father-son duo, Zacharias and Hans Janssen created the first microscope in the
1590s.
In the year 1625, Galileo Galilei perfects the principle of microscope.
In 1665, an English physicist, Robert Hooke looked at a sliver of cork through a
microscope lens and noticed some “pores” or “cells” in it.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek built a simple microscope in 1674 with only one lens to examine
blood, yeast, insects, and many other tiny objects.
In 1925, Richard Zsigmondy developed the ultra-microscope, which could study objects
below the wavelength of light, and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
The phase-contrast microscope was invented by Frits Zernike in 1932 and allows the
study of colorless and transparent biological materials.
Little was done to improve the microscope until the middle of the 19th century when
great strides were made and quality instruments like today’s microscope emerged.
Activity 2: Matchy! Matchy!
What to Do:
1. You will read the paragraphs below.
2. You will trace the history of the microscope by copying and filling in the boxes.
In the early 13th century, spectacle makers were producing lenses for glasses. The early
simple “microscopes” were known as “flea glasses” because they were used to study small
insects.
A father-son duo, Zacharias and Hans Janssen created the first microscope in the
1590s.
In the year 1625, Galileo Galilei perfects the principle of microscope.
In 1665, an English physicist, Robert Hooke looked at a sliver of cork through a
microscope lens and noticed some “pores” or “cells” in it.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek built a simple microscope in 1674 with only one lens to examine
blood, yeast, insects, and many other tiny objects.
In 1925, Richard Zsigmondy developed the ultra-microscope, which could study objects
below the wavelength of light, and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
The phase-contrast microscope was invented by Frits Zernike in 1932 and allows the
study of colorless and transparent biological materials.
Little was done to improve the microscope until the middle of the 19th century when
great strides were made and quality instruments like today’s microscope emerged.

2. YEAR KEY FIGURES CONTRIBUTIONS/DISCOVERY
13th
Century Spectacle makers
simple “microscopes” were known as “flea
glasses” because they were used to study small
insects.
YEAR KEY FIGURES CONTRIBUTIONS/DISCOVERY
13th
Century Spectacle makers
simple “microscopes” were known as “flea
glasses” because they were used to study small
insects.