How Microbiology Has Shaped Society

The microscope and the general study of microbiology has helped shaped society and and has created many advances in the field of science. Through all history, the microscope evolved into a modern form, and still is the recipient of many upgrades and enhancements. One of the main beneficiaries of the works of the microscope is the medical field, with a closer look on microbiology, scientists are now able to predict viruses, prevent them, and even cure them. The microscope also provides insight into the lives of bacteria, how it forms, how it thrives, and provides us with a deeper understanding on how life came to be. The study and tool is also used to keep Earth as close to perfect as we found it, with many ecologists are working towards a clean green Earth. Overall, the microscope has been used all over the world to create deeper awareness of society and even life itself.

The first idea of the microscope was created as early as Roman times, when it was discovered that looking through glass, objects appeared larger.

It was not until the thirteenth century, when Salvino D'Armate created the first wearable eyeglass’, with a magnitude of 6x-10x. In the year 1590’s Zachariah Jensen was experimenting on lenses,and he created the first compact microscope, with several lenses in a cylinder. Jenssen was born in The Netherlands in 1580. Jenssen realized that when the lenses were stacked on top of each other, the object seen through the compact microscope was greatly magnified. Although some believe that Jensen did not create the first compound microscope, he showed that he would have had the knowledge and capability to create

one.

Over the years Jenssens idea of a compound microscope was built upon, until Antonie van Leeuwenhoek revolutionized the instrument. He was known to have created a large amount of microscopes, a some 500 in total. Learning all he knew from observations as well as a book called “Micrographia “, written by Robert Hooke, another prominent scientist at the time. He was born in Holland, with no biology experience and a simple education. He had persistence, passion, and curiosity, which drove his love of inventing, and creating microscopes . With his newly built microscope, that consisted of only one lense mounted upon a brass plate, he made a variety of biological discoveries and was accepted as an accomplished scientist. He discovered the existence of bacteria, sperm cells, blood cells, parasites, and many other microbiological concepts as well as things.

Leeuwenhoek was a great contributor to the field of microbiology, as the proven existence of bacteria changed everyone's perception on disease and helped scientists to educate citizens on the spread of disease, and eventually prevent some diseases all together. The microscope was used globally as more and more people had access to it, and it can now be bought through the internet, through specialty stores, and even sometimes they can be homemade. Before the microscope was invented, little was known regarding cells, their functioning, and composition. As well, little was known about disease and viruses. Very few people had a proper understanding of curing even the simplest illness’. In many cases false administration of herbal remedies were given, and very few human made medicines existed.

With the creation of the microscope, and the advancement of technology, society grew stronger, medically and scientifically. Medically, as more and more diseases were being stopped in their track, and new outbreaks were stopped as well. New human made medicines and cures were being created, and simple things the common cold were killing less and less people each year. Scientifically, because of the newly discovered knowledge of cells, bacteria, and all that makes up living organisms.

From the time the first bacteria was created, the earth was abundant of life, from entire populations, like humans to groups of bacteria that form all we know today. The microscope ‘sees’ as deeply as to see single parts of cells, as well as single atoms. Scientists believed for the longest time, that various compounds like table salt, were elements , and that there were only several elements that existed. With the help of not only math and physics, but the microscope, it was discovered that particles created the universe and all we are. Zooming out a bit, it was also discovered by Robert Hooke, the man that wrote “Micrographia”, the book that inspired Antony, that cells were infact what made up the human body, and all forms of life.

With this knowledge under the belt of the scientific community, many ecologists and biologists studied the impact of human involvement on the Earth. With pollution on the rise, garbage dumps filling our city, and less and less green space, scientists knew it was the time to act. Using the microscope, the scientists looked into more efficient products, as well as energy sources. Many coming up with the fantastic ideas we have today,like electric cars, to save our precious fossil fuels, and even metallic long lasting water bottles, to save to strain on the Earth. Using the knowledge of cells, atoms, and particles, ecologists were able to prolong the life of the planet humans call home, Earth.

Overall the microscope has helped to overcome obstacles like diseases, illness, and even pollution. It had given scientists and eye into the engaging lives of cells, bacteria and all living things. Without it, many other advancements could not have been made, and the health system would not be so profound. The microscope is an immensely important tool, used for not only scientific gain, but the growth and knowledge of society and the human population as well.