Looking for technical info early microscopes

[Mr Galasphere]

Several years ago I made some Leeuwenhoek style glass sphere microscopes. Mine had cardboard bodies. I had a lot of fun with these and still intend on making more accurate replicas in metal.

I would also like to make some examples of early compound microscope like those of Robert Hooke for example. The trouble is that I am finding it very difficult to find any technical information on these early microscopes. Things I need to know are what type of lenses (BCX, PCX ?) focal lengths, spacing, etc. I hope it may be possible to construct similar microscopes using off the shelf optics. I've also seen a few articles on grinding small lenses and could even give that a try.

If any one can point me to some references it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[patta]

Two links, maybe you know them already

http://www.microscope-antiques.com/index.html

https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/ ... ex.html

Many images of the bodies but no details on the lenses I fear
Hooke microscope... ask him directly?
https://archive.org/details/microgra ... mode/2up

[Mr Galasphere]

Thanks for the links!

The FSU website has a very interesting section on seventeenth century microscopes, the period I'm most interested in.
From a description of an Italian wooden compound microscope:

"The eye lens is bi-convex and the microscope is equipped with an internal tube lens and objective that are both plano-convex with the planar portions of the lenses facing each other."

I suppose if I knew enough optics I might be able to work out a functioning microscope using the types of lenses described.

[Dubious]

Several years ago I made some Leeuwenhoek style glass sphere microscopes. Mine had cardboard bodies. I had a lot of fun with these and still intend on making more accurate replicas in metal.
. . .

What glass spheres did you find best for the Leeuwenhoek microscope?

Another site to check out, if you haven't already, is Allan Wissner's extensive collection of early compound microscopes at http://www.antique-microscopes.com/. Clicking on the photo of a microscope in his collection often brings up a detailed description and he cites his sources. His site lists articles and some patent applications, and he may be able to direct you to additional documentation.

[patta]

For rough design use Winlens, pretty ok demo version; should be doable to find out the specs and distances of a of two-three lenses system

https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/en/Optics ... Basic/

I buy ball and half-ball lenses from Bohr optics China, on aliexpress, ~1$ apiece
but if you wish to make them yourself...

[Mr Galasphere]

Several years ago I made some Leeuwenhoek style glass sphere microscopes. Mine had cardboard bodies. I had a lot of fun with these and still intend on making more accurate replicas in metal.
. . .

What glass spheres did you find best for the Leeuwenhoek microscope?

I made mine.

Here is a nice tutorial: http://www3.botany.ubc.ca/keeling/microscope.html

[Mr Galasphere]

For rough design use Winlens, pretty ok demo version; should be doable to find out the specs and distances of a of two-three lenses system

https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/en/Optics ... Basic/

I buy ball and half-ball lenses from Bohr optics China, on aliexpress, ~1$ apiece
but if you wish to make them yourself...

Thanks, I'll check that out, although it will probably be over my head.

Have you mad any microscopes using ball and half-ball lenses?

[patta]

No, never made a microscope... it may happen in the future?
For what I've understood, microscopes optics until about 1800 were made more or less by trial-and-error

For the Hook, as from his illustration, I'd guess that may be built with:
- objective, one half-ball lens 4mm diameter
- eyepiece, one lens flat-convex, 20mm diameter, 40mm focal length
- 150mm distance between the two

and then, more fun with the water-jug-condenser!

[tgss]

Some of these are outside your time period of interest, but may be insightful, and most have fairly extensive references for potential follow-up.

Optical Properties of the Lenses of an Early 19th Century Cuff-Type Microscope
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... scope.html

THE PERFORMANCE OF SEVENTEENTH- AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY MICROSCOPES by BRIAN BRACEGIRDLE
Medical History 1978, Vol 22, pp187-195
If you can't find this I can supply a pdf.

Charles Darwin and Robert Brown – their microscopes and the microscopic image - Brian J Ford
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... brown.html

Did Physics Matter to the Pioneers of Microscopy? - Brian J. Ford
Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 158, ISSN 1076-5670, DOI: 10.1016/S1076-5670(09)00006-8.
If you can't find this I can supply a copy.

What Brown saw and you can too - Philip Pearle and Brian Collett
Rather technical but some good insights between the lines and a comprehensive list of references.
If you can't find I can supply.

The Culpeper Microscope - Janet Fricker
Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners December 1986
Once again I can supply if you can't find this.

Tom W.

[Mr Galasphere]

Some of these are outside your time period of interest, but may be insightful, and most have fairly extensive references for potential follow-up.

Optical Properties of the Lenses of an Early 19th Century Cuff-Type Microscope
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... scope.html

THE PERFORMANCE OF SEVENTEENTH- AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY MICROSCOPES by BRIAN BRACEGIRDLE
Medical History 1978, Vol 22, pp187-195
If you can't find this I can supply a pdf.

Charles Darwin and Robert Brown – their microscopes and the microscopic image - Brian J Ford
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... brown.html

Did Physics Matter to the Pioneers of Microscopy? - Brian J. Ford
Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 158, ISSN 1076-5670, DOI: 10.1016/S1076-5670(09)00006-8.
If you can't find this I can supply a copy.

What Brown saw and you can too - Philip Pearle and Brian Collett
Rather technical but some good insights between the lines and a comprehensive list of references.
If you can't find I can supply.

The Culpeper Microscope - Janet Fricker
Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners December 1986
Once again I can supply if you can't find this.

Tom W.

Thanks
I was able to track down all of these
Very interesting articles.