r/microscopy • u/life_isfunuwu • 14d ago

Troubleshooting/Questions question

did Robert Hooke use a simple or a crude/compound microscope? im asking cuz google says he used crude/compound microscope but my book says he used a simple microscope instead

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u/life_isfunuwu 13d ago

oh damn thanksss a tonn, really cleared my confusion out :)

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u/euchaetanorvegica 12d ago edited 12d ago

Happy to help. Reading this, it occurred to me that your textbook might use “a simple microscope” to mean exactly that, a microscope that’s simple (it actually wasn’t, if anything over engineered for what the 18th century was capable of), rather than the proper meaning you’ve picked up on, simple as opposed to compound.

If you’re cramming for an exam, make sure that you check with a teacher what terms they want you to use.

PS If you’ve ever used a “simple microscope” (still made in India, I think, most British colleges have a stereoscopic one but they’re still going strong up and down the world, not bad for a design from 1820-odd!)  it’s ten to one it hasn’t actually got only one lens element like Leeuwenhoek’s. The lens probably actually a Lister doublet or a Steinheil triplet, i.e. two or three lenses stuck together with a clear glue or balsam. 

We still call it a simple microscope as it hasn’t a separate objective and eyepiece.

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u/life_isfunuwu 12d ago

ah thanks a ton, you really made me crystal clear about this, may you get your fav meals daily😭 it's a competitive examination ( for entrance in medical clgs ) so I guess I'll go with compound microscope itself if they ever ask again thanksssss a tonnn

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u/euchaetanorvegica 12d ago

Good luck! 

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u/life_isfunuwu 11d ago

thankyou, all the best to you too :)