Leeuwenhoek

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) made significant advances in studies involving the microscope. At the time, only compound microscopes were available in the market, so he crafted his own microscopes that contained prestigious lenses with short focal lengths. At the age of 42, Leeuwenhoek began studies on bacteria and protozoa, which he obtained from pond water, well water, the human mouth, and human intestines. He in fact calculated the sizes of the small and large intestine. He was also the discoverer of sperm cells.

With the use of a microscope, Leeuwenhoek studied striations in muscle tissue and was the first person to provide a description of red blood cells. His studies on animal reproduction led him to the belief that animal life could not be created without a living source, which countered Aristotle's belief in spontaneous generation. Leeuwenhoek's disproof of spontaneous generation meant that anchovies were not born from sea foam and that grubs were not derived from fire and was a dramatic break from Aristotle's scientific theories.

Leeuwenhoek gained the admiration of some of the greatest political figures of the Enlightenment, including Peter the Great, Frederick the Great and James II of England as a result of his dramatic discoveries in science.

Impact:

Of course the differences in the findings of the greatly acclaimed Aristotle and newly received Leeuwenhoek further led to a break between modern thought and traditional thought. The acceptance of the newly discovered scientific ideas of the Enlightenment by major political figures from the time period displays the connection between the revolutions in science and revolutions in political structure.

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