JULES PETER Microscope; Lyon, France, 20th century.

JULES PETER microscope; Lyon, France, 20th century.
Black lacquered metal,
Preserves two objectives and original wooden box.
Measurements: 29 x 14 x 20 cm; 32,5 x 20 x 22 cm (box).
The microscope was invented by Zacharias Janssen at the end of the 16th century, in 1590. During the following years and centuries its use will allow key advances in science such as the discovery of blood capillaries, protozoa and bacteria and the study of living tissues. Their construction improved significantly in the 18th century and especially in the 19th century, following the discovery of the dispersion and refraction of light. Not only the optics were improved, but also its stability and handling. A key date was 1877, the year of the publication of Ernst Abbe's "Theory of the microscope", whose research allowed magnifications of 2000.